Wireless intraoral scanner

Abstract

A method for establishing a wireless operating connection between an intraoral scanner and a scanning station is disclosed. The method includes detecting, by the intraoral scanner, a user interaction indicative of an intent to establish a wireless operating connection. The method includes broadcasting, by the intraoral scanner, a connection request based on detecting the user interaction indicative of the intent to establish the wireless operating connection. The method includes receiving, by the scanning station, the connection request. The method includes outputting, by the scanning station to a user, an indication that the connection request has been received.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to a wireless intraoral 3D scanner for generating a three-dimensional representation of a scanned object. Background Technology

[0002] 3D dental scanning technology is widely used in dentistry to create digital impressions of teeth. This technology allows dentists to obtain detailed and accurate representations of teeth in digital format, which can then be used for various applications, including dental restorations, orthodontic treatment, and the design and manufacture of other dental prostheses.

[0003] The use of intraoral scanners to generate digital impressions has become so prevalent that many clinics now own and use multiple intraoral scanners, which are shared across multiple scanning stations. Furthermore, in recent years, intraoral scanners have shifted to interacting with scanning stations via wireless connections rather than wired connections. This, in turn, enhances the mobility of intraoral scanners within the clinic, as moving the scanner no longer involves frequently plugging and unplugging connecting cables.

[0004] The increasing number of intraoral scanners used in each clinic, along with the improved mobility of each scanner within the clinic, raises the question of determining which particular scanner should be connected to which particular scanning station at a given time. Therefore, there is a need for an improved method of connecting intraoral scanners to scanning stations. Summary of the Invention

[0005] One aspect of this disclosure is a method for establishing a wireless operational connection between an intraoral scanner and a scanning station. The method includes: detecting a user interaction indicating an intention to establish a wireless operational connection by the intraoral scanner. The method further includes: broadcasting a connection request by the intraoral scanner based on the detected user interaction indicating an intention to establish a wireless operational connection. The method also includes: receiving the connection request by the scanning station. Finally, the method includes: outputting an indication to the user that the connection request has been received by the scanning station.

[0006] Another aspect of this disclosure is an intraoral scanner. The intraoral scanner includes a scanner interface configured to detect user interaction indicating an intention to establish a wireless operational connection. The intraoral scanner includes a processing unit configured to enter a connection mode upon detecting the user interaction indicating an intention to establish a wireless operational connection. The intraoral scanner includes a first wireless interface configured to broadcast a connection request when the intraoral scanner is in connection mode.

[0007] Another aspect of this disclosure is a 3D dental scanner system, including an intraoral scanner and a scanning station. The intraoral scanner includes a scanner interface configured to detect user interaction indicating an intention to establish a wireless operational connection. The intraoral scanner includes a first wireless interface configured to broadcast a connection request based on the detected user interaction indicating an intention to establish a wireless operational connection. The scanning station includes a second wireless interface configured to receive the connection request. The scanning station includes a display configured to output a graphical interface including an indication that the connection request has been received.

[0008] This disclosure also relates to a data processing system, such as the scanner system disclosed herein, including one or more processors configured to perform the steps in the methods disclosed herein.

[0009] This disclosure also relates to a computer program product including instructions that, when executed by a computer, cause the computer to perform the steps of the method disclosed herein. This disclosure also relates to a computer-readable data carrier on which the computer program product is stored.

[0010] This disclosure also relates to a computer-readable storage medium including instructions that, when executed by a computer, cause the computer to perform the steps of the methods disclosed herein.

[0011] As used herein, the term "wireless operational connection" requires not only that the devices connected via a wireless operational connection are connected through a network (such as a Wi-Fi network or the Internet), but also that a functional communication channel is established over said network. Therefore, two devices can connect to the same wireless network, but unless a communication channel has been established between them, there is no operational connection between them. Attached Figure Description

[0012] The above and other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description of exemplary embodiments taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0013] Figure 1 A top view of the intraoral scanner of the present invention is shown;

[0014] Figure 2 A perspective view of the intraoral scanner of the present invention is shown;

[0015] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the intraoral scanner of the present invention;

[0016] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the scanning network of the present invention;

[0017] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the scanning network of the present invention;

[0018] Figure 6 This is a flowchart depicting the steps of the method of the present invention;

[0019] Figure 7 This is a flowchart depicting the process of the method of the present invention;

[0020] Figure 8 The graphical user interface output by the scanning station of this invention is shown;

[0021] Figure 9 The graphical user interface output by the scanning station of this invention is shown;

[0022] Figure 10 This is a schematic diagram of an intraoral scanner system;

[0023] Figure 11 A method for selecting the output device of an intraoral scanner system is shown;

[0024] Figure 12 A flowchart illustrating the dental workflow is shown.

[0025] Figure 13 This demonstrates the selection of the output device using an intraoral scanner;

[0026] Figure 14 This is a schematic diagram of two intraoral scanners operating in clone mode;

[0027] Figure 15 A method for selecting the direction of the cloning process is shown;

[0028] Figure 16 Two intraoral scanners operating in clone mode and connected to a scanning station are shown;

[0029] Figure 17 An intraoral scanner operating in clone mode and connected to a scanning station is shown;

[0030] Figure 18 This is a flowchart depicting the steps of the method of the present invention;

[0031] Figure 19 This is a flowchart depicting the steps of the method of the present invention; and

[0032] Figure 20 Different shaking directions of the intraoral scanner of the present invention are shown. Detailed Implementation

[0033] The following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, is intended as a description of various configurations. The detailed description includes specific details and is intended to provide a thorough understanding of the various concepts. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that these concepts can be implemented without these specific details. Several aspects of the device, system, medium, program, and method are described by various blocks, functional units, modules, components, circuits, steps, processes, algorithms, etc. (collectively, "elements"). Depending on the specific application, design constraints, or other factors, these elements may be implemented using electronic hardware, computer programs, or any combination thereof.

[0034] Electronic hardware may include microprocessors, microcontrollers, digital signal processors (DSPs), field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), programmable logic devices (PLDs), gated logic, discrete hardware circuits, and other suitable hardware configured to perform the various functions described throughout this disclosure. Computer programs should be interpreted broadly as instructions, instruction sets, code, code segments, program code, programs, subroutines, software modules, application programs, software applications, software packages, routines, subroutines, objects, executable files, threads of execution, procedures, functions, etc., whether referred to as software, firmware, middleware, microcode, hardware description languages, or otherwise.

[0035] The scanner disclosed herein is an intraoral scanner for acquiring images within the oral cavity of a subject. This scanner can be a handheld scanner, i.e., a device configured to be held by a human hand. The scanner can employ any suitable scanning principle, such as focus-based scanning, triangulation-based scanning, stereo vision, motion recovery structures, confocal scanning, or other scanning principles.

[0036] In some embodiments, the scanner employs a triangulation-based scanning principle. For example, the scanner may include a projection unit and one or more camera units for determining points in 3D space based on triangulation. As another example, the scanner includes a projection unit and two or more camera units, wherein the camera units are configured to image the scanned object from different viewpoints (i.e., from different directions). Specifically, the camera units may be configured to acquire a set of images, within which a corresponding problem is solved based on triangulation. The images within this set of images may be acquired by individual camera units of the scanner.

[0037] The triangulation-based intraoral scanner is further described in the following applications by the same applicant: WO2023 / 117981A1: "System and method for generating digital representations of 3D objects" filed on December 19, 2022; PCT / EP2023 / 058521: "Intraoral 3D scanning device for projecting high-density light patterns" filed on March 31, 2023; and PCT / EP2023 / 058980: "Intraoral scanning device with extended field of view" filed on April 5, 2023, all of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

[0038] An intraoral scanner may include one or more scanning units, each of which includes a projection unit and one or more camera units. As an example, the scanner may include one scanning unit comprising a projection unit and at least two camera units. As another example, the scanner may include one scanning unit comprising a projection unit and four camera units. In yet another example, the scanner may include at least two scanning units, each comprising a projection unit and two or more camera units. In yet another example, the scanner may include at least two scanning units, each comprising a projection unit and four camera units. In some embodiments, the scanning units may be arranged in series to achieve an expanded or increased field of view (FOV) for the intraoral scanner. Thus, each scanning unit can provide an FOV such that the combined FOV provided by two scanning units is approximately twice the FOV of a single scanning unit.

[0039] Scanning to provide intraoral scanning data can be performed by a dental scanner system, which may include an intraoral scanner, such as the TRIOS series scanner from 3ShapeA / S. The dental scanner system includes wireless capabilities provided by a wireless networking unit. The intraoral scanner may employ scanning principles such as triangulation-based scanning, confocal scanning, focused scanning, ultrasound scanning, X-ray scanning, stereoscopic vision, motion reconstruction, optical coherence tomography (OCT), or any other scanning principle. In one embodiment, the intraoral scanner is capable of acquiring surface information by projecting a pattern and translating the focal plane along the optical axis of the intraoral scanner, capturing multiple 2D images at different focal plane positions, such that each series of captured 2D images corresponding to each focal plane forms a stacked 2D image. The acquired 2D images are also referred to herein as raw 2D images, where "raw" here means an image that has not yet undergone image processing. The focal plane position is preferably moved along the optical axis of the scanner system such that the 2D images captured at multiple focal plane positions along the optical axis form the stacked 2D image (also referred to herein as a sub-scan) for a given view of the object (i.e., for a given arrangement of the scanner system relative to the object). After moving the intraoral scanner relative to the object or imaging the object from a different perspective, a new stacked 2D image for that perspective can be captured. The position of the focal plane can be changed by at least one focusing element, such as moving the focusing lens.

[0040] During the scanning process, the intraoral scanner typically moves and tilts relative to the dentition, causing at least some sub-scan groups to at least partially overlap. This allows for the reconstruction of a digital 3D model of the teeth by stitching the overlapping sub-scans together in real time, displaying the progress of the virtual 3D model on a monitor as feedback to the user. The result of stitching is a digital 3D representation of the surface larger than the surface that a single sub-scan can capture, i.e., larger than the field of view of the 3D intraoral scanner. Stitching (also known as registration and fusion) works by identifying overlapping areas of the 3D surfaces in the individual sub-scans and transforming the sub-scans to a common coordinate system to match the overlapping areas, ultimately producing a digital 3D model. The Iterative Closest Point (ICP) algorithm can be used for this purpose. Another example of an intraoral scanner is a triangulation scanner, where a time-varying pattern is projected onto the dental object, and image sequences of different pattern configurations are acquired by one or more cameras located at an angle relative to the projection unit.

[0041] Typically, the process of acquiring surface information of a dental object in real time requires an intraoral scanner to illuminate the surface and acquire a large number of 2D images. Typically, a high-speed camera is used, with a frame rate of 300 to 2000 2D frames per second, depending on the technology and the resolution of the 2D images. The intraoral scanner needs to process large amounts of image data to either directly forward the raw image data stream to an external processing device or perform some image processing before transmitting the data to an external device or display. This process requires multiple electronic components inside the scanner to operate at high workloads, thus necessitating high current requirements.

[0042] An intraoral scanner includes one or more light projectors configured to generate an illumination pattern to be projected onto a three-dimensional dental object during the scanning process. The light projector preferably includes a light source, a mask with a spatial pattern, and one or more lenses, such as collimating lenses or projection lenses. The light source can be configured to generate light of a single wavelength or a combination of wavelengths (monochromatic or polychromatic). Wavelength combinations can be generated by using a light source configured to produce light containing different wavelengths (e.g., white light). Alternatively, the light projector may include multiple light sources, such as LEDs that individually produce light of different wavelengths (e.g., red, green, blue), which can be combined to form light containing different wavelengths. Thus, the light generated by the light source can be defined by wavelengths that define a specific color or by different wavelength ranges that define color combinations (e.g., white light). In one embodiment, the intraoral scanner includes a light source configured to excite fluorescent material in the tooth to obtain fluorescence data from the dental object. Such a light source can be configured to produce light with a narrow wavelength range. In another embodiment, the light from the light source is infrared (IR) light, which is capable of penetrating tooth tissue. The light projector can be a DLP projector that uses a micromirror array to generate time-varying patterns, a diffractive optical element (DOE), or a backlit mask projector, wherein the light source is placed behind a mask having a spatial pattern, thereby patterning the light projected onto the surface of the dental object. The backlit mask projector may include a collimating lens for collimating the light from the light source, the collimating lens being placed between the light source and the mask. The mask may have a checkerboard pattern, such that the generated illumination pattern is a checkerboard pattern. Alternatively, the mask may have other patterns, such as lines or dots.

[0043] The color texture of a tooth object can be captured by illuminating it with different monochromatic lights (such as red, green, and blue individually) or by illuminating it with multi-colored light (such as white light). A 2D image can be captured during a white light flash.

[0044] The intraoral scanner preferably also includes optical components for directing light from the light source onto the surface of the tooth object. The specific arrangement of the optical components depends on whether the intraoral scanner is a focusing scanning device, an intraoral scanner using triangulation, or any other type of intraoral scanner. A focusing scanning device is further described in the same applicant's EP2442720B1, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

[0045] An intraoral scanner may include an elongated housing comprising a distal end for insertion into the oral cavity. The housing may be configured to house multiple optical and / or electronic components of the scanner. The housing may constitute a rigid enclosure for the scanner. The housing may include an opening located in a sidewall of the distal end of the housing. This opening is preferably arranged to be in the optical path of light projected by the scanner. In some embodiments, the scanner housing includes two or more portions, such as a fixed portion and a replaceable portion, the replaceable portion being configured to be replaceably attached to the fixed portion of the housing. For example, the scanner may include a replaceable scanning tip configured to be mounted on the scanner or the elongated housing. In this case, the scanning tip may include an opening or window configured to align with a corresponding opening or window of the elongated housing.

[0046] In some embodiments, an intraoral scanner includes a window disposed at an opening in the housing and / or scanning tip. Therefore, the scanner may include a window disposed in the housing opening, wherein the projection unit and the window are arranged such that a pattern is projected through the window during use of the scanner. In a preferred embodiment, at least one area of ​​the window is made of a transparent material, said area being located in the optical path of the projected spatial pattern. The window may be made of a polymer (e.g., polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA)) or a glass material (e.g., sapphire glass). The window is preferably rigid and planar. In some embodiments, the window is coated with an anti-reflective (AR) coating. The window may be located in the optical path of the scanner, i.e., at a position such that the light pattern projected during use of the scanner is projected through the window.

[0047] An intraoral scanner may include one or more projection units. Some or all of the projection units may be configured to project a predefined spatial pattern onto at least a portion of the surface of a three-dimensional object through an opening.

[0048] The projection unit in this document can be understood as a device configured to project light onto a surface (e.g., the surface of a three-dimensional object). In a preferred embodiment, the projection unit is configured to project a light pattern (e.g., a spatial pattern) onto the surface of a three-dimensional object (e.g., a tooth object). Preferably, the projection unit is configured to project a light pattern such that the spatial pattern is in focus within a predefined focus distance or range when measured along the projector's optical axis. Therefore, the spatial pattern can be in acceptable focus within a given focus range. The projection unit can be configured to project unpolarized light.

[0049] The projection unit can be selected from the following groups: digital light processing (DLP) projectors using multiple digital micromirror devices (DMDs) arranged in a matrix or array, diffractive optical elements (DOEs), front-illuminated reflective mask projectors, micro-LED projectors, liquid crystal on silicon (LCoS) projectors, or backlit mask projectors, wherein the light source is placed behind a mask with a spatial pattern. The pattern can be dynamic, i.e., the pattern changes over time, or the pattern can be static in time, i.e., the pattern remains unchanged over time. The advantage of projecting a static pattern is that it can acquire all image data simultaneously, thereby preventing distortion caused by movement between the scanner and the object.

[0050] The projection unit may include one or more collimating lenses for collimating light from a light source. The collimating lenses may be positioned between the light source and the mask in the backlight mask projection unit. In some embodiments, some or all of the collimating lenses are Fresnel lenses. The projection unit may also include one or more focusing lenses configured to focus a spatial pattern of the projection within a predefined focus range. The projector focusing lens may define the projector optical axis.

[0051] In a preferred embodiment, the projection unit of the scanner includes at least one light source and a pattern generating element for defining a light pattern. The pattern generating element is preferably configured to generate a light pattern to be projected onto the surface of an object. For example, the pattern generating element may be a mask with a spatial pattern. Therefore, the projection unit may include a mask configured to define a light pattern. The mask may be placed between the light source of the projection unit and one or more focusing lenses such that light transmitted through the mask is patterned into a spatial pattern. For example, the mask may define a polygonal pattern comprising multiple polygons, such as a checkerboard pattern. In other embodiments, the pattern generating element generates the light pattern based on diffraction and / or refraction, for example, a pattern comprising a discrete array of unconnected points.

[0052] Preferably, the projection unit is configured to generate a predefined static pattern that can be projected onto a surface. Alternatively, the projection unit can be configured to generate a dynamic pattern that changes over time, i.e., a time-varying pattern. The projection unit can be associated with its own projector plane, which is determined by projector optics. For example, if the projection unit is a backlight mask projector, the projector plane can be understood as the plane on which the mask is located. The projector plane includes multiple pattern features of the projected pattern.

[0053] The projection unit may include one or more light sources. The projection unit can be configured to project a spatial pattern of light defined by multiple projection rays when the light source is turned on / activated. The projection unit can be configured to sequentially turn the light source on and off at a predetermined frequency, wherein the light source is on for a predetermined period of time. The light source can be configured to generate light of a single wavelength, i.e., narrowband light centered on a certain wavelength, or a combination of wavelengths (monochromatic or polychromatic). The wavelength combination can be generated by a light source configured to generate light containing different wavelengths, or by a range of wavelengths (e.g., white light). The light source can be configured to generate unpolarized light, such as unpolarized white light.

[0054] In some embodiments, each projection unit includes a light source for generating white light. The advantage of white light is that it allows the scanner to simultaneously acquire data or information related to both surface geometry and surface color. Therefore, the same set of images can be used to provide both the geometry of an object (e.g., in 3D data / 3D representation) and the object's color. Thus, to generate a digital 3D representation that simultaneously expresses the object's color and geometry, it is not necessary to align the data related to the recorded surface geometry with the data related to the recorded surface color. Alternatively, the projection unit may include multiple light sources, such as LEDs that each individually generate light of different wavelengths (e.g., red, green, blue), which can be combined to form light containing different wavelengths. Therefore, the light generated by the light source can be defined by wavelengths that define a specific color or by different wavelength ranges that define color combinations (e.g., white light). In some embodiments, the light source is a diode, such as a white light-emitting diode or a laser diode. In some embodiments, the projection unit includes a laser, such as a blue or green laser diode for generating blue or green light respectively. The advantage of this is that more efficient projection units can be achieved, enabling faster exposure compared to, for example, using a white light-emitting diode.

[0055] In some embodiments, the scanner includes a light source configured to excite a fluorescent material to obtain fluorescence data from a dental object (e.g., a tooth). Such a light source can be configured to produce light within a narrow wavelength range. In other embodiments, the scanner includes one or more infrared light sources configured to produce wavelengths in the infrared range (e.g., between 700 nm and 1.5 µm). In some embodiments, the scanner includes one or more light sources selected from the group consisting of infrared (IR) light sources, near-infrared (NIR) light sources, blue light sources, violet light sources, ultraviolet (UV) light sources, and / or combinations thereof. In some embodiments, the scanner includes a first light source forming part of a projection unit, and one or more second light sources, such as IR-LEDs or NIR-LEDs and / or blue or violet LEDs, located in a distal portion of the scanner (e.g., the scanner tip). Some light sources can be used for diagnostic purposes, such as to aid in the detection of areas of caries or plaque.

[0056] The projection unit can be configured to project a spatial pattern of light defined by a plurality of projected rays when the light source of the projection unit is turned on. The spatial pattern may include a plurality of pattern features. In some embodiments, the pattern features are arranged in a two-dimensional (2D) grid. In this document, the terms “illumination pattern,” “light pattern,” “spatial pattern,” and “projection pattern” are used interchangeably.

[0057] Spatial patterns can be generated using a pattern generating element (e.g., located in a projection unit). The pattern generating element can be a mask with a spatial pattern, such as a transparent or transmissive mask. The mask can be a chromium photomask. In other embodiments, the pattern generating element is configured to generate light patterns using diffraction and / or refraction. Using light patterns can lead to correspondence problems where it is necessary to determine the correspondence between points in the light pattern and points seen by a camera unit observing the pattern. In some embodiments, the correspondence problem is addressed jointly for multiple sets of projected rays emitted from the projection unit.

[0058] A spatial pattern can be a polygonal pattern comprising multiple polygons. Polygons can be selected from the group consisting of triangles, rectangles, squares, pentagons, hexagons, and / or combinations thereof. Other polygons are also conceivable. Typically, polygons consist of sides and angles. In a preferred embodiment, polygons are repeated in a predefined manner within the pattern. As an example, the pattern may include multiple repeating units, each comprising a predefined number of polygons, which repeat throughout the pattern. Alternatively, the pattern may include a predefined arrangement comprising any one or more of the following: stripes, squares, dots, triangles, rectangles, and / or combinations thereof. In some embodiments, the pattern is non-coded, such that no part of the pattern is unique.

[0059] In some embodiments, the generated light pattern is a polygonal pattern, such as a checkerboard pattern comprising multiple squares. Similar to a regular checkerboard, the squares in the pattern may have alternating dark and light areas, corresponding to low-intensity (dark) areas and high-intensity (bright) areas, respectively. In some embodiments, the light pattern is a checkerboard pattern comprising alternating dark and light squares. In other embodiments, the light pattern comprises a distribution of discrete, unconnected light points.

[0060] The spatial pattern preferably comprises a plurality of pattern features. These pattern features may be arranged in a regular grid. In some embodiments of the scanner disclosed herein, the total number of pattern features in the pattern is at least 1000, preferably at least 3000, more preferably at least 10000, and even more preferably at least 15000. When a pattern containing these pattern features is projected onto the surface of a 3D object, the acquired object image will similarly include a plurality of pattern features corresponding to the projected pattern features. A pattern feature can be understood as a single, well-defined location within a pattern or image. Examples of pattern features include corners, edges, vertices, points, transitions, dots, stripes, etc. In a preferred embodiment, pattern features include the corners of squares in a checkerboard pattern. In other embodiments, pattern features include corners in a polygonal pattern (e.g., a triangular pattern).

[0061] An intraoral scanner may include one or more camera units configured to acquire one or more two-dimensional images of a three-dimensional object. Preferably, at least a portion of the spatial pattern is present in the image. A camera unit as used herein can be understood as a device for capturing an image of an object. Each camera unit may include an image sensor for generating an image based on incident light (e.g., received from an illuminated 3D object). For example, the image sensor may be an electronic image sensor, such as a charge-coupled device (CCD) or an active pixel sensor (CMOS sensor). In some embodiments, the image sensor is a global shutter sensor configured to simultaneously expose the entire image area (all pixels) and generate an image at a single point in time. In other embodiments, the image sensor is a rolling shutter sensor.

[0062] An image sensor may include a pixel array, where each pixel is associated with a corresponding camera ray. The pixel array may be a two-dimensional (2D) array. Each pixel may be covered by a microlens. In some embodiments, the image region, i.e., the 2D array of pixels, is rectangular or square. In some embodiments, the image sensor is a CMOS sensor that includes an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) for each column of pixels, significantly accelerating the conversion time and allowing each camera unit to benefit from higher speeds. Each image sensor may define an image plane, i.e., a plane containing a projected image of an object. Each image obtained by the image sensor may include multiple pattern features derived from a projection pattern, the projection pattern including multiple such pattern features. In some embodiments, one or more camera units include a light field camera. Preferably, each camera unit defines a camera optical axis. The camera unit may also include one or more focusing lenses for focusing light.

[0063] In some embodiments, the image sensor is a monochrome image sensor, where each pixel is associated with a single color channel (e.g., a grayscale color channel), and the value of each pixel represents only the amount of light. In other embodiments, the image sensor is a color image sensor or an image sensor including an array of color filters on an array of pixels. As an example, the color filter array may be a Bayer filter arranged with four color filters: red (R), green (G), blue (B). Bayer filters may also be referred to as RGGB filters. When utilizing image sensor data, color pixels can be combined into 2×2 monochrome pixels for 3D depth reconstruction. In this case, the resolution of the 3D depth reconstruction is only half that of the image sensor in each direction. When acquiring texture (color) images, it is preferable to utilize the full original resolution (using color filter pixels).

[0064] According to some embodiments, the projector optical axis and the camera optical axis or axis are not parallel. As an example, the projector optical axis and the camera optical axis of at least one camera unit can define a camera-projector angle of about 5 to 15 degrees, preferably about 5 to 10 degrees. All camera units can be similarly tilted relative to the projection unit such that each camera optical axis defines approximately the same angle with the projector optical axis. In some embodiments, the camera units are defocused at the opening of the scanner probe and / or at the surface of the optical window in the probe. In a preferred embodiment of the scanner, the camera unit and the projection unit of a given scanning unit are focused at the same distance.

[0065] Each camera unit may include one or more focusing lenses for focusing light onto the image sensor of the given camera unit. In some embodiments, each camera unit includes two or more lenses assembled in a camera lens group. The purpose of the focusing lens may be to define or ensure a predetermined focusing distance or working distance of the camera unit. The camera focusing lens may also define the camera optical axis.

[0066] In some embodiments, the scanner includes two or more camera units configured to acquire a set of images, the set of images including at least one image from each camera unit, wherein each image includes at least a portion of a projected pattern. In a preferred embodiment, the images within the set of images are acquired simultaneously. Furthermore, the number of images in the set of images may preferably correspond to the number of camera units, with each camera unit contributing one image to the set. The advantage is that the light budget is improved; therefore, the light source and projection units consume less power. Consequently, these components generate less heat, which is desirable because heat dissipation is typically difficult in intraoral scanners.

[0067] A 3D scanner system may include one or more processors configured to generate a 3D representation based on the set of images, for example, by identifying pattern features in the set of images and determining points in 3D space based on triangulation. Some processors may be located on the scanner and / or some may be located on an external computer. The 3D representation may be generated continuously during the scanning process and / or may be generated in real time. The 3D scanner system may also include a display for displaying the 3D representation. The rendering of the 3D representation and the display of the representation may further occur in real time, or be perceived in real time by the user.

[0068] A 3D scanner system, i.e., a system including one or more intraoral scanners and one or more scanning stations, may include one or more processors operatively connected to the intraoral scanners, wherein the processors are configured to generate a 3D representation of the scanned object. A 3D representation, as used herein, can be understood as a digital representation of the external geometry and shape of a three-dimensional object. A 3D representation may represent only a portion of the object's geometry and shape. A 3D representation may include a set of points and / or polygons that collectively define the object's surface. As an example, a 3D representation may be selected from the group consisting of: point clouds, signed distance fields, triangulated point clouds, a set of point clouds optionally with additional information (e.g., uncertainty estimates or color), a set of triangulated point clouds, polygonal meshes, volumetric representations (e.g., voxel models), parametric surfaces, surface element models, or any other suitable three-dimensional representation model. In a 3D representation, each point may be defined by three-dimensional coordinates (x, y, z) in a Cartesian coordinate system. These points may form part of a surface mesh (e.g., a polygonal mesh). In some embodiments, a 3D representation is a triangular mesh, comprising a set of triangles connected by their common edges or vertices. A collection of points and / or surface meshes can be used to create a visual representation of an object, which can then be rendered on a computer screen.

[0069] A 3D representation can be generated from multiple 3D frames. In this paper, a 3D frame can be understood as a 3D representation generated from a single field of view of an intraoral scanner. In other words, a 3D frame itself can constitute a 3D representation of a portion of the surface of the scanned object, and thus fall within the range of examples of 3D representations given above. As an example, each 3D frame can constitute a point cloud with multiple points in three-dimensional space. During scanning, the scanner can acquire 3D frames at a given frame rate (e.g., 20 to 35 frames per second). 3D frames can be registered and stitched together in a common reference frame to form a 3D representation larger than the range that the scanner can capture in a single field of view. Registration of 3D frames can include registering a 3D frame to one or more previously captured 3D frames of an object. Registration of 3D frames can be understood as determining the position and / or orientation of a 3D frame relative to another object and / or a set of objects (e.g., a set of 3D frames). Registration can also include physically positioning the 3D frame relative to the set of objects and / or the set of 3D frames. The stitched set of 3D frames can constitute the digital 3D representation described above. A 3D representation, such as a 3D representation of a portion of a jawbone or dental arch, can consist of a large number of 3D frames, such as 100 to 2500 frames. Other numbers of 3D frames may also be envisioned without departing from the scope of this disclosure.

[0070] The scanner interface is configured to provide the user with control over scanner operation, and optionally one or more of the following: establishing a wireless operating connection, disconnecting a wireless operating connection, changing a scanning station, changing a scanning station output, or cloning a scanner configuration. The scanner interface may include one or more buttons, such as physical buttons, touch-sensitive areas, or virtual buttons on the scanner's touch display, to provide the user with basic controls such as turning the scanner on / off, starting / ending scanning, etc.

[0071] The scanner interface may also include one or more motion sensors configured to detect scanner movement, allowing the user to issue control commands to the scanner and optionally the scanning station using gestures as a user interaction while using the scanner. The one or more motion sensors may include one or more of an accelerometer, a gyroscope, and a magnetometer, thereby enabling the one or more motion sensors to detect changes in one or more of the scanner's acceleration, linear displacement, pitch, yaw, or roll.

[0072] The scanner interface may also include a location determination unit having one or more location sensors and / or location beacons configured to detect the scanner's location. The one or more location sensors may include one or more of a GPS unit, a Bluetooth proximity sensor, or an ultra-wideband (UWB) sensor. The one or more location beacons may include one or both of a UWB tag or a Bluetooth proximity tag. The location determination unit may be provided by a first wireless interface, in which case the scanner's location can be determined using one or more wireless network nodes.

[0073] The scanner's position can be relative to the scanning station, determined by the distance between the scanner and the scanning station and / or the scanner's orientation relative to the scanning station. Alternatively, the scanner's position can be relative to the Earth, i.e., the coordinates of the scanner's current location. The position can also be within a clinic, such as the room where the scanner is located.

[0074] The scanning station disclosed herein includes a computer and a monitor for providing a user with a substantial real-time view of the 3D representation being generated during scanning and / or a viewfinder displaying at least a portion of the current field of view of the camera unit. This can assist the user in navigating and / or manipulating the scanner within the patient's oral cavity and provide information about where the 3D representation is incomplete to guide them through the scanning process. The scanning station may include some or all of one or more processors for generating the 3D representation. The scanning station may be at least partially cloud-based, whereby some or all of the one or more processors for generating the 3D representation can be positioned remotely from the monitor.

[0075] The scanning station also includes a scanning station interface for controlling the scanning station and for manipulating objects on the display, such as a 3D representation or cursor in a graphical user interface (GUI). The scanning station interface may be provided at least partially by the scanner interface, which can then be used to control some or all of the scanning station's operations. This can be particularly advantageous when the scanner includes one or more motion sensors, as this allows the user to control the scanning station via gestures, either wirelessly or via a wired connection (if a scanner without a wireless interface is used). In this case, the scanning station interface can be used to use the scanner as an indicator to control the cursor in the scanning station's GUI. This can be further improved by using the scanner interface to select options or items in the GUI (e.g., by pressing a button among one or more buttons), whereby the scanner can act as the scanning station's mouse.

[0076] The scanning station can be connected to a network, such as a local area network (LAN) or the Internet, through which the scanner can connect. Alternatively or additionally, the scanner may include a scanning station wireless interface, referred to herein as a second wireless interface, thereby allowing the scanner and the scanning station to establish a direct wireless link between them.

[0077] For the scanner and scanning station to exchange data, they must first be connected. This connection can be via a direct wireless link, i.e., between the first and second wireless interfaces, or it can be partially wireless, i.e., using a wireless network node of the network to which the scanning station is connected to provide a wireless link to the scanner. Secondly, a communication channel must be opened for the connection to be operational. For the initial process, this may require pairing to establish a trusted bond between the scanner and the scanning station.

[0078] A first method for establishing a wireless operational connection between an intraoral scanner and a scanning station is disclosed. The method includes: detecting a user interaction by the intraoral scanner indicating an intention to establish a wireless operational connection. The interaction indicating the intention to establish a wireless operational connection is a user interaction that the scanner is configured to associate with the intention to establish a wireless operational connection. The user interaction may be defined by default settings stored in the scanner's memory or by user-configured settings. Detection is performed by the scanner interface, for example, by using at least one of the following: one or more buttons, one or more motion sensors, or a position determination unit, depending on which interaction the scanner is configured to associate with the user's intention to establish a wireless operational connection.

[0079] User actions associated with the intent to establish a wireless operational connection are user interactions with the scanner interface. These user actions may include pressing one of one or more buttons, such as a button specifically designed for establishing a wireless operational connection or a multi-function button, a preset number of times and / or for a preset duration, optionally associated with powering on the scanner. If the scanner interface includes other means for user interaction, such as a touchpad, touch display, or scroll wheel, the user actions associated with the intent to establish a wireless operational connection may be interactions with one or more of these.

[0080] The scanner is configured to associate user actions with the intent to establish a wireless operational connection. These actions can be gestures performed by the user while holding the scanner, detected by one or more motion sensors. The gestures can be shaking the scanner, such as moving the scanner up and down, moving it left and right, and / or rotating it clockwise / counterclockwise. Gesture-based interactions can be advantageous because they are found to be intuitive for most users, making the scanner easier to use. Using gestures such as shaking is advantageous because this is a type of movement that is not performed during scanning, so the user is less likely to perform it unintentionally.

[0081] The method includes: broadcasting a connection request by an intraoral scanner based on detected user interaction indicating an intention to establish a wireless operational connection, and receiving the connection request by a scanning station. The broadcast connection request is performed as a wireless signal via a first wireless interface. The connection request may be received by a wireless network node and subsequently distributed to one or more scanning stations on the scanning network. Alternatively, the connection request may be received directly by the scanning station. The connection request may be broadcast as one or more connection request packets, the packets including identification data identifying the scanner broadcasting the connection request.

[0082] The method includes: the scanning station outputting an indication to the user that a connection request has been received. This output can be audio, i.e., an audio message presented to the user through the scanning station's speaker. The output can also be visual, i.e., a visual indication presented in a GUI on the scanning station's display. This output can be presented in association with a visual representation of the scanner broadcasting the connection request, allowing the user to identify the scanner from a list of scanners or from visual representations of multiple scanners connected to the scanning network. This becomes more advantageous the more scanners a clinic has, as it allows users to quickly identify their currently used scanner through user interaction—first performing an instruction to establish a wireless operational connection intent—after which the scanner's visual representation is highlighted or isolated, allowing them to quickly select the correct scanner from those available on the scanning network.

[0083] The method includes: detecting user interaction that indicates approval for establishing a wireless operational connection by a scanning station. The detection of user interaction that indicates approval for establishing a wireless operational connection uses a scanning station interface, preferably one or more of a mouse, keyboard, microphone, camera, or touchscreen. The user interaction that indicates approval for establishing a wireless operational connection is a user interaction in which the scanning station is configured to be associated with an instruction to approve a connection request.

[0084] The user interaction may be selecting a scanner that broadcasts a connection request from a list of available scanners, or a visual representation of selecting a scanner that broadcasts a connection request, such as by moving a cursor and making a selection in a GUI. The scanning station may be configured to associate other user interactions with the approval to establish a wireless operational connection, such as voice commands detected by a microphone, gestures or eye movements detected by a camera and / or LiDAR. Alternatively, the scanning station may be configured to consider proximity between the scanner that broadcasts a connection request and the scanning station as approval to establish a wireless operational connection; that is, the user interaction indicating approval to establish a wireless operational connection is the user bringing the scanner within the connection range of the scanning station. Alternatively, in cases where the user interaction indicating the intention to establish a wireless operational connection is a gesture with the scanner (e.g., shaking the scanner), the scanning station may be configured to observe the user performing the user interaction indicating the intention to establish a wireless operational connection via the scanning station's camera and associate this observation with approval. Once approval is detected, the method includes establishing a wireless operational connection between the intraoral scanner and the scanning station, after which the scanner and the scanning station become linked and the scanning process can be performed.

[0085] A second method is disclosed for establishing a wireless operating connection between an intraoral scanner and multiple scanning stations. The intraoral scanner and the multiple scanning stations form a scanner system interconnected by a scanning network.

[0086] The method includes detecting the distance between an intraoral scanner and at least some (preferably all) of the scanning stations. Distance detection can be accomplished using one or more position sensors of the intraoral scanner, or using one or more external position sensors based on signals from one or more position beacons of the scanner. The method also includes establishing a wireless operating connection between the intraoral scanner and the scanning station closest to the intraoral scanner.

[0087] Alternatively, the method includes detecting the location of the intraoral scanner and determining which scanning station is associated with that location. The method then includes establishing a wireless operational connection between the intraoral scanner and the scanning station associated with the detected location. For a scanner system comprising multiple scanning stations distributed across an area (e.g., several rooms within a clinic), each scanning station may be associated with a specific area (e.g., a room within a clinic).

[0088] In such a setup where proximity and / or location can be determined, the approval step can be omitted, optionally predicated on a trusted binding established between the scanner and the scanning station. This is because the scanner's position relative to the scanning station may be sufficient to determine both which scanning station the scanner should establish a wireless operating connection with and to ensure security, as it is impossible for someone located outside the clinic to establish a wireless operating connection. If further security is required, the method can still include a user interaction detected by the scanning station instructing approval for establishing a wireless operating connection. This user interaction can be one of the options disclosed above or a pop-up presented in the GUI of the scanning station closest to the scanner.

[0089] The second method may include the steps of the first method, for example, including detecting user interaction by an intraoral scanner indicating an intention to establish a wireless operational connection to initiate distance or location detection.

[0090] A third method is disclosed for establishing a wireless operational connection between an intraoral scanner and a scanning station in a plurality of intraoral scanners. The method includes: the scanning station detecting a user interaction indicating an intention to establish a wireless operational connection. The user interaction indicating the intention to establish a wireless operational connection may be pressing a virtual quick connect button in the scanning station's GUI or a voice command, such as the user saying "Connect scanner" in a language configured to be recognized by the scanning station.

[0091] The method includes: detecting a second user interaction indicating an intention to establish a wireless operational connection by an intraoral scanner. The method also includes: establishing a wireless operational connection between a scanning station and the intraoral scanner that detected the second user interaction indicating the intention to establish a wireless operational connection. The second user interaction indicating the intention to establish a wireless operational connection may be a button press or a gesture detected by the scanner interface of an intraoral scanner, such as shaking the scanner.

[0092] Scanning a patient's mouth is only the first step in the dental workflow. Users may wish to proceed to subsequent steps, such as examining the resulting 3D representation, presenting it to the patient, storing it in the patient's medical record, or sending it elsewhere for diagnosis; any of these steps may involve removing data from the scanning station. Given the hygiene requirements when scanning patients, changing the output destination of the scanning station can be cumbersome, as touching anything other than the scanner would require changing surgical gloves and potentially re-sterilizing hands, especially if the user must use a mouse, keyboard, or touchscreen, all of which can harbor pathogens. Therefore, minimizing user interaction with such objects is highly desirable. According to the invention, this can be achieved, at least in part, by using the scanner as the interface to the scanning station; that is, using the scanner interface as the input means to the scanning station when the scanner is operatively connected to it.

[0093] An intraoral scanner system is disclosed, including an intraoral scanner and a scanning station operatively connected to the intraoral scanner. The intraoral scanner includes an optical system having a projection unit and a camera unit, the optical system being configured to capture multiple 2D images to provide image data. The intraoral scanner includes a scanner interface having one or more motion sensors configured to detect movement of the intraoral scanner to provide motion data. The scanning station includes one or more processors configured to generate 3D representation data based on the image data. The scanning station includes an output interface configured to connect to multiple output devices, the output interface being configured to provide output data to a selected output device among the multiple output devices based on the 3D representation data. The scanning station includes a first display, which is one of the multiple output devices. The scanning station is configured to determine which of the multiple output devices is the selected output device based on the motion data.

[0094] A method for selecting an output device in an intraoral scanner system, including an intraoral scanner, a scanning station, and multiple output devices, is also disclosed. The method includes: capturing multiple 2D images by the intraoral scanner to provide image data; detecting movement of the intraoral scanner by the intraoral scanner to provide motion data; generating 3D representation data by the scanning station based on the image data; generating output data by the scanning station based on the 3D representation data; determining which of the multiple output devices is the selected output device based on the motion data; and outputting the output data to the selected output device.

[0095] A data processing system, such as an intraoral scanner system, is also disclosed, including one or more processors configured to perform the steps of the method.

[0096] A computer program product is also disclosed, including instructions that, when executed by an intraoral scanner system, cause the intraoral scanner system to perform the steps of the method.

[0097] The multiple output devices may include one or more of the following: one or more displays, one or more data storage devices (such as hard drives, local servers, and remote servers), one or more other scanning stations, or one or more computers. The output interface may include one or more wired output ports, including one or more of the following: one or more display ports (such as HDMI, DisplayPort, DVI, and VGA ports), one or more network ports (such as Ethernet ports), or one or more data exchange ports (such as USB and Thunderbolt ports). The output interface may include a second wireless interface for connecting scanning stations to a scanner network, wherein at least some of the multiple output devices are connected to the scanner network.

[0098] 3D representation data comprises a 3D representation of a scanned object stitched together from image data, i.e., at least a portion of a patient's oral cavity. The user's desired output destination depends on the next step in the dental workflow. An advantage of this invention is that the user can select the output device for the 3D representation data solely through interaction with the intraoral scanner, allowing the user to resume scanning or other dental procedures on the patient while maintaining the sterility of the user's hands. By determining the output based on motion data, the user can select the output device via hand gestures while holding the intraoral scanner, which detects the user's movement using motion sensors and generates motion data representing that movement.

[0099] Therefore, a user can select an output device by sliding a handheld scanner from the scanning station or first display toward the desired output device. The scanner detects this movement and generates motion data representing the detected movement, transmitting the motion data to the scanning station. The scanning station can then read the motion data and set the output device corresponding to the sliding direction as the selected output device.

[0100] Multiple output devices may include a second display, wherein the scanning station is configured to switch between a first display mode (where the first display is used as the main display) and a second display mode (where the second display is used as the main display). Providing multiple displays for the scanning station may have several advantages; it may allow a user to switch from one side of the patient to the other while still having the display at a natural viewing angle, or it may allow a user to share scan results with a patient or colleague on a second, larger display.

[0101] The scanning station can be configured to place the second display in a power-reduced mode, such as an idle or off mode, when switching from a second display mode to a first display mode. The scanning station can also be configured to switch the second display from a power-reduced mode (e.g., an idle or off mode) to an active mode when switching from a first display mode to a second display mode. While the first display will typically be the display attached to the scanning station, the second display can be a temporary display, i.e., a display used occasionally for short periods. Therefore, it may be advantageous to provide a scanning station configured to wake the second display from an idle mode when motion data indicates that the user wants to use the second display as the selected output device, and / or to provide a scanning station configured to place the second display in an idle mode when motion data indicates that the user wants to use a device other than the second display as the selected output device.

[0102] The scanner interface may also include one or more buttons configured to detect user interactions indicating an intent to select an output device. The scanning station can then be configured to determine which of a plurality of output devices is the selected output device based on the detected user interaction indicating an intent to select an output device. Combining gesture-based output device selection with the requirement that the user also performs a user interaction indicating an intent to select an output device reduces the risk of false alarms, i.e., the user accidentally performing a movement associated with selecting an output device. Therefore, it would be advantageous to perform output device selection only when the user presses a unique sequence of buttons or while they are holding down a button.

[0103] Motion data may include data indicating one or more of the following: the direction of movement, distance traveled, speed of movement, direction of rotation, or speed of rotation of the intraoral scanner. Determining which of multiple output devices is the selected output device based on motion data may require the motion data to indicate that the scanner has moved beyond a starting distance threshold and / or faster than a starting speed threshold. The starting distance threshold prevents the user from accidentally triggering output device selection while operating the scanner (e.g., while scanning a patient). The starting speed threshold prevents the user from accidentally triggering output device selection while moving the scanner.

[0104] The scanning station can be configured to determine whether motion data meets the output device standards of each of a plurality of output devices, and if the motion data meets one of the output device standards, set the output device associated with the met standard as the selected output device. The output device standard for each output device can be a default setting or a user-defined setting. By providing a scanner system that allows users to set at least some output device standards, users can customize which gestures should be associated with which output devices, thus providing a more intuitive scanner system for the user.

[0105] The scanning station can also be configured to convert motion data into movement of a tool (e.g., a cursor displayed on a first display) selected in a graphical user interface. The output device criterion is a boundary condition on the first display, and it is satisfied when the cursor moves over the boundary condition associated with that criterion. First, the intraoral scanner, which can be used as an indicator, allows the user to navigate and select options within the GUI presented on the first display, thus replacing other interface options such as a mouse. Second, by linking the selection of the output device to cursor movement, visual feedback can be provided when the user performs gestures to select the output device.

[0106] Boundary conditions can be customized by the user, so that the boundary positions associated with a specific output device in the GUI can reflect the user's preferences or the position of the specific output device relative to the first display. For example, the boundary associated with a second display located to the right of the first display can be set on the right edge of the first display, while the boundary associated with cloud storage can be set on the top edge of the first display.

[0107] This paper also discloses a method for cloning configuration settings of an intraoral scanner (i.e., the source scanner) to another intraoral scanner (i.e., the target scanner). Because intraoral scanners are fairly advanced electronic devices, they typically store one or more configuration settings in their memory. Configuring a new wireless scanner to use a new network can be a cumbersome and complex process. New network credentials may have to be transferred to the new scanner via a known network or some other wireless technology such as Bluetooth or NFC. In addition to network credentials, the scanner may also have user settings that affect its behavior. Copying these settings across multiple scanners also takes time. If multiple scanners need to be configured, the entire process must be repeated for each scanner, which would be very time-consuming.

[0108] An intraoral scanner is disclosed, comprising an optical system having a projection unit and a camera unit, a memory configured to store configuration settings, a processing unit configured to operate based on the configuration settings, a scanner interface configured to detect user interaction, and a first wireless interface. The intraoral scanner is configured to operate in a cloning mode. In cloning mode, the intraoral scanner is in one of two sub-modes: a source scanner cloning mode or a target scanner cloning mode. In source scanner cloning mode, the intraoral scanner is configured to generate one or more configuration setting data packets based on the configuration settings and transmit the one or more configuration setting data packets to another intraoral scanner via the first wireless interface. In target scanner cloning mode, the intraoral scanner is configured to receive one or more configuration setting data packets from another intraoral scanner or from a scanning station via the first wireless interface and update the configuration settings based on the received one or more configuration setting data packets.

[0109] A method for cloning configuration settings to an intraoral scanner is disclosed. The method includes establishing a wireless operational connection between the intraoral scanner and another intraoral scanner or scanning station. The method includes activating a cloning mode of the intraoral scanner. The method includes receiving one or more configuration setting data packets from the other intraoral scanner or from the scanning station. The method includes updating the configuration settings of the intraoral scanner based on the received one or more configuration setting data packets.

[0110] A data processing system, such as an intraoral scanner, is also disclosed, including one or more processors configured to perform the steps of the method.

[0111] A computer program product is also disclosed, including instructions that, when executed by an intraoral scanner, cause the intraoral scanner to perform the steps of the method.

[0112] One advantage of these methods is that users can clone the configuration settings of a customized scanner (i.e., the source scanner) onto a new scanner (i.e., the target scanner). This not only saves users the time that would otherwise be required to customize a new scanner, but also ensures that the configuration settings of the new scanner are the same as those of the source scanner, so that the operation of the new scanner will be identical.

[0113] According to the present invention, the configuration settings cloning of an intraoral scanner can be initiated by a user interaction indicating a cloning intent detected by the scanner interfaces of the source scanner and / or the target scanner, such as pressing a specific button, which may simultaneously activate the device. This can initiate the scanner's cloning mode, in which a dedicated wireless connection is established between the two scanners using the scanner's first wireless interface, such as using Bluetooth, NFC, or other wireless protocols. The configuration settings are then transferred from the source scanner to the target scanner, and the target scanner will then restart.

[0114] User interactions indicating cloning intent may include the user pressing one or more buttons in a first button press mode, possibly in conjunction with powering on the scanner. The simplest user interaction indicating cloning intent would involve pressing a single button on the target scanner, possibly while the target scanner is powered on, or possibly by holding it down. In this scenario, the scanner can be cloned at any time, as the cloning process is triggered by the target scanner. User interactions indicating cloning intent may include positioning the source and target scanners within a certain distance from each other (i.e., less than a cloning proximity threshold), which can be detected using the position determination units of each scanner. User interactions indicating cloning intent may include gestures by the user holding the source and / or target scanners, such as shaking one or both scanners, detected by one or more motion sensors on each scanner.

[0115] User interactions indicating cloning intent may be accompanied by user interactions indicating cloning direction, i.e., indicating which scanner should be the source scanner and which should be the target scanner. User interactions indicating cloning direction may include a second button press mode on the first scanner, thereby activating cloning mode as the source scanner, and / or a third button press mode on the second scanner, thereby activating cloning mode as the target scanner. Additionally or alternatively, user interactions indicating cloning direction may include gestures by the user holding the source and / or target scanners, such as a sliding motion of the target scanner toward the source scanner, detected by one or more motion sensors on the source scanner.

[0116] Both the source and target scanners can support wireless technologies that enable the establishment of inter-scan connections. Preferably, this connection should be independent of the primary wireless connection operation used to connect to the scanning station or scanning network, allowing the target scanner to be cloned without causing the source scanner to lose any pre-existing connection with the scanning station. Furthermore, the inter-scan connection can be a secure and encrypted wireless connection, as network credentials and other potentially private information will be cloned. Authentication can also be used to prevent the cloning process from being triggered by unauthorized devices.

[0117] To further ensure secure inter-scanner connections, the method for cloning intraoral scanner configuration settings may include broadcasting a cloning request by the source scanner and / or target scanner; receiving the cloning request by the scanning station; and detecting user approval of the cloning request by the scanning station. Using the scanning station to approve the cloning request adds an extra layer of security to prevent unauthorized and accidental initiation of the cloning process. Additional or alternative security measures to prevent unauthorized initiation may include using the aforementioned cloning proximity threshold, i.e., the method for cloning intraoral scanner configuration settings may include proximity between the source scanner and the target scanner, and suspending the cloning process if the source scanner and the target scanner move further apart than the cloning proximity threshold.

[0118] To prevent accidental user-triggered cloning—that is, unintentionally executing user interactions indicative of cloning intent, which could lead to unintentional overwriting of scanner configurations with different intents—a method for cloning intraoral scanner configuration settings may include outputting a cloning notification by the source scanner and / or the target scanner. The cloning notification may include one or more of the following: tactile, auditory, or visual notifications. User approval to initiate the cloning process may then be detected by the source scanner and / or the target scanner. Preferably, the cloning notification is output by at least the target scanner. More preferably, user approval to initiate the cloning process is detected by the target scanner. Since the target scanner is the scanner to be overwritten, it is advantageous for it to remind the user before initiating cloning by outputting a cloning notification and to maintain the cloning process until user approval is detected, thereby reducing the risk of accidental cloning.

[0119] Since maintaining additional wireless connectivity for inter-scanner connections can consume significant amounts of energy from a power source such as a battery, the source and / or target scanners can be configured to establish an inter-scanner connection upon detecting user interaction indicating a cloning intent, and to pause the connection after transferring configuration settings from the source scanner to the target scanner. This minimizes the time the inter-scanner connection must remain active, thus reducing energy consumption.

[0120] When configuring settings via wireless transmission, the source scanner can generate a configuration settings data packet that includes error detection data and / or error correction data. Error detection data, such as Cyclic Redundancy Check (CRC), is an error detection code that enables the target scanner to detect unexpected changes in the configuration settings data packet that may occur during wireless transmission. Error correction data, such as duplicate copies of the configuration settings, allows the target scanner to correct errors in the received configuration settings data packet when an error is detected.

[0121] The method described above can be extended to cloning configuration settings from a scanning station to a target scanner. In this extended case, where configuration settings are cloned from a scanning station, the application running on the scanning station can assume the role of the source scanner, acting as the cloning source rather than the scanner itself.

[0122] Detailed description of the attached figures

[0123] Figure 1 An intraoral scanner 100 (also referred to as a scanner) is shown for acquiring a set of images of a scanned object, such as an object inside a human oral cavity. The scanner 100 includes a housing having a distal end 104 for insertion into a patient's oral cavity and a proximal end 106 opposite to the distal end 104. The scanner 100 includes a tip 102 that is at least partially inserted into the patient's oral cavity during scanning. The tip 102 includes an opening through which the scanner 100 is configured to emit light to illuminate the object to be scanned, and light from the object (e.g., by reflection or fluorescence) can enter the scanner 100 through the opening for capture to obtain image data. The intraoral scanner includes a scanner interface with one or more buttons 118 (e.g., two buttons in the illustrated embodiment). The scanner interface is configured to provide user control over one or more of the following: scanning operation, establishing a wireless operating connection, disconnecting a wireless operating connection, controlling the scanning station 200 (i.e., providing an input means for the scanning station 200), or switching between available scanning stations. As an example, the buttons may include one or more of the following: a press button, a toggle switch, or a touch interface (e.g., on a scanner display). Figure 2 As shown Figure 1 A perspective view of the intraoral scanner 100 shown.

[0124] Figure 3 As shown Figure 1 and Figure 2The diagram shows a block diagram of an intraoral scanner 100. The scanner 100 includes an optical system 108 comprising a projection unit having one or more light sources and a camera unit having one or more image sensors. The light sources are configured to provide light for illuminating a subject to be scanned, and the image sensors are configured to capture the light from the subject. The one or more light sources may include one or more of the following: infrared (IR) light sources, near-infrared (NIR) light sources, monochromatic visible light sources, multicolor visible light sources, white light sources, or ultraviolet (UV) light sources. In this document, the term "visible" refers to the electromagnetic spectrum band perceptible to the human eye, typically approximately 380 nm to 750 nm.

[0125] Scanner 100 includes a processing unit 110 configured to perform control and input / output operations of scanner 100. Processing unit 110 is operatively connected to an optical system, whereby processing unit 110 can control optical system 108 and receive image data captured by optical system 108 during the scanning process. Processing unit 110 may include some or all of one or more processors for generating 3D representations. Processing unit 110 may be configured to perform preprocessing on the image data captured by the optical system and can generate 3D representations based on the preprocessed image data. Scanner 100 may include a memory 124 configured to store one or more of the following: user settings, control and input / output operations of scanner 100, one or more encryption keys, or image data.

[0126] Scanner 100 includes a wireless interface (referred to herein as a first wireless interface) configured to provide a wireless link between scanner 100 and scanning station 200, a network, and / or another intraoral scanner. The first wireless interface includes a wireless communication unit 112 coupled to one or more antennas 114, such as a radio, transmitter, transmitter-receiver pair, or transceiver. The one or more antennas 114 may include multiple antennas configured to operate in different frequency bands, for example, an antenna configured to operate in a band with a center frequency of 2.45 GHz and another antenna configured to operate in a band with a center frequency of 5.8 GHz, and / or antennas configured to operate with different polarizations, for example, an antenna configured to operate with a first polarization and another antenna configured to operate with a second polarization substantially orthogonal to the first polarization.

[0127] The wireless communication unit 112 is operatively connected to the processing unit 110, whereby the wireless communication unit 112 can receive image data, preprocessed image data, or data including 3D representation from the processing unit 110, and transmit the data to the scanning station using one or more antennas 114. Furthermore, the scanner can receive data, such as command data from the scanning station 200, via a first wireless interface. Additionally, the wireless interface can send / receive further data, as will be explained in more detail below.

[0128] Scanner 100 includes a power source 116, such as a rechargeable battery. The power source 116 can be replaceably mounted in a power source slot 124 of scanner 100, which is configured to receive and hold the power source 116. During operation of scanner 100, the power source 116 provides power to electrical components of scanner 100, such as a first wireless interface, processing unit 110, optical system 108, scanner interface, etc.

[0129] The scanner interface may include one or more motion sensors 120 configured to detect movement of the scanner 100. The motion sensors may include one or more of the following: an accelerometer, a gyroscope, or a magnetometer. The motion sensors may be configured to detect linear and / or rotational movement of the scanner 100. The scanner interface may include a position determination unit 122 configured to determine the position of the scanner 100 relative to the scanning station 200 or its actual position, such as in the form of coordinates or the scanner 100's associated position within the clinic. The position determination unit 122 may include a position detector enabling the scanner 100 to detect its position, and / or a position transmitter enabling the scanner 100 to transmit a position signal, thereby allowing other devices (e.g., the scanning station 200) to detect the scanner 100's position.

[0130] Figure 4 A scanning network 250 is shown, comprising multiple scanners 100 (e.g., the three scanners shown) and multiple scanning stations 200 (e.g., the three scanning stations shown). The scanning stations 200 can be connected to the scanning network 250 via wired and / or wireless connections. Some or all of the scanning stations 200 can be configured as fixed, such as desktop computers or fixed monitors, and thus the wireless connection can be omitted. Some or all of the scanning stations 200 can be configured as portable, such as laptops or tablets, in which case they will include a second wireless interface for connecting to the scanning network 250.

[0131] The scanning network 250 can be connected to one or more local servers 210 and / or cloud networks 220. The one or more local servers 210 and / or cloud networks 220 may include some or all of one or more processors that generate 3D representations, thereby allowing processes requiring significant computing power to be performed on the one or more local servers 210 and / or cloud networks 220. The one or more local servers 210 and / or cloud networks 220 may include data storage, thereby allowing image data and other data requiring significant data storage space to be stored on the one or more local servers 210 and / or cloud networks 220. This can alleviate the computing and storage requirements of the scanning station 200.

[0132] To provide a wireless link to scanner 100, scanning network 250 includes one or more wireless network nodes (e.g., Wi-Fi routers) that act as relays between scanner 100 and scanning station 200. Scanning network 250 provides at least a partially wireless connection between scanner 100 and scanning station 200, thereby allowing the establishment of a wireless operating connection between scanner 100 and scanning station 200 for patient scanning procedures, as will be described in more detail below.

[0133] Figure 5 A scanning network 250 is shown, comprising a scanner 100 and two scanning stations 200, each of which has a computer 202 and a monitor 204, which can be combined in a single device, i.e., a laptop computer. The scanner 100 can only be operatively connected to one of the two scanning stations 200 at a time; therefore, if the scanner 100 switches between scanning stations 200 or is paired with the scanning network 250 for the first time, the user must perform an operation to do so.

[0134] Figure 6 A flowchart of the method of the present invention is shown, which simplifies such connection and pairing processes. Detection 300 indicates a user interaction indicative of an intention to establish a wireless operational connection, i.e., a user's desire to operatively connect scanner 100 to scanning station 200. This is detected using a scanner interface with preset interactions associated with the user's intention to establish a wireless operational connection. The user interaction indicative of the intention to establish a wireless operational connection may be a user interaction with one or more buttons 118, such as pressing a dedicated connection button or pressing a multifunction button in a specific pattern (e.g., double-clicking or long-pressing). The user interaction indicative of the intention to establish a wireless operational connection may also be a gesture performed by the user while holding scanner 100, which can be detected using one or more motion sensors 120. In this embodiment, scanner 200 will have a preset motion pattern associated with the intention to establish a wireless operational connection. The motion pattern may be the user shaking scanner 100, for example by linearly shaking scanner 100 and / or by rotating scanner 100.

[0135] Once the user interaction 300, indicating an intention to establish a wireless connection, is detected, scanner 100 broadcasts a connection request 302 using its first wireless interface. Subsequently, scanning station 200 receives a scan request 304. The connection request can be received directly by scanning station 200's second wireless interface, or it can be received first by wireless network node 230, which then distributes the connection request to scanning stations 200 in the scanning network 250.

[0136] Upon receiving a connection request (304), scanning station 200 will output an indication (306) that the connection request has been received. This output can be performed visually using the display of each scanning station 200, in which case the indication will be presented in a graphical user interface (GUI) 400. Preferably, the indication is presented together with a visual representation of the scanner 100 broadcasting the connection request. The visual representation of the scanner 100 can be one or more of the following presented in the GUI 400: text identifying the scanner 100, a photograph of the scanner 100 model, or an animation of the scanner 100. Additionally or alternatively, this output can be performed audibly using the speakers of each scanning station 200, in which case the scanning station 200 will emit an acoustic signal, such as a voice signal, containing information that the connection request has been received.

[0137] When output 306 indicates that a connection request has been received, scanning station 200 will detect user interaction 308 indicating approval to establish a wireless operating connection. This can be achieved by presenting an option to accept the connection request in GUI 400 and receiving input from the user, such as input using the keyboard of scanning station 200, or user interaction with GUI 400, such as pressing a virtual button to accept or pressing a visual representation of scanner 100. If the user rejects or does not accept the connection request, the process of establishing a wireless operating connection can be terminated 314 without establishing a wireless operating connection.

[0138] If scanning station 200 detects a user interaction indicating approval for establishing a wireless operating connection, the process of associating scanning station 200 with scanner 100 broadcasting the connection request continues. This may include establishing a secure connection (310), including one or more of the following: verifying the scanner's challenge request, short-term key distribution, or long-term key distribution. Finally, a wireless operating connection (312) is established by opening a communication channel between scanner 100 and scanning station 200. This allows scanner 100 to transmit image data and / or preprocessed image data to scanning station 200, thereby providing the user with a substantially real-time view of the scanner 100's current field of view, aiding in navigation and manipulation of the scanner 100 within the patient's oral cavity. Furthermore, the image data and / or preprocessed image data can be used to generate 3D representations.

[0139] Figure 7 The combination is shown Figure 6 The described method is illustrated in the flowchart. In response to receiving a connection request from scanner 100, the scanning station may optionally verify scanner 100 by issuing a challenge request. Upon receiving the challenge request, the scanner may reply by transmitting a challenge response via a first wireless interface. If the challenge response is accepted by scanning station 200, the scanning station may continue to output an indication that the connection request has been received and wait for the user's acceptance or rejection.

[0140] The challenge request may include an action that needs to be performed on scanner 100, and the required action may be output at scanning station 200. The action to be performed on scanner 100 may be a sequence of pressing one or more buttons 118 and / or moving scanner 100 in a specific motion pattern, such as moving scanner 100 in a counter-clockwise circular motion, which is detected by one or more motion sensors 120. The required action may be output visually on the display of scanning station 200 and / or audibly from the speaker of scanning station 200. This makes establishing an unauthorized connection to scanning station 200 more difficult because the output challenge request answer must be perceived near scanning station 200 in order to complete the action required to be performed on scanner 100.

[0141] A challenge request may include a request for a scanner certificate, and a challenge response may be a scanner certificate. Thus, the challenge can be at least partially completed after the scanner certificate is verified by the scanning station 200. The scanner certificate may be stored in the memory 124 of the scanner 100, possibly during the manufacture of the scanner 100. Verifying the scanner certificate may include verifying the scanner certificate by comparing it with a comparison certificate obtained from a web server (e.g., the web server of the scanner 100 manufacturer).

[0142] A challenge request may include the scanner 100 and the scanning station 200 being within a certain distance from each other, i.e., less than a connection proximity threshold, which is detected using the location determination unit 122 of the scanner 100. By using a proximity threshold as a restriction on establishing a wireless operational connection, it becomes more difficult to establish an unauthorized connection to the scanning station 200, because the scanner 100 must be near the scanning station 200 to establish a wireless operational connection. The proximity threshold can be set via geofencing, ensuring that the scanner 100 is within the geofence defining the clinic to which the scanner 100 is associated, thus allowing a wireless operational connection to the scanning station 200 to be established only when the scanner 100 is located within the clinic.

[0143] If the challenge request is successfully completed and the connection request is accepted, scanner 100 and scanning station 200 can continue exchanging keys to encrypt communication between them. Key distribution may include short-term key distribution for the current process and / or long-term key distribution for both current and future processes.

[0144] Figure 8 An example of the GUI 400 of the present invention presented on a display 204 of a scanning station 200 is shown. The GUI 400 includes a visual representation 402 of a scanner 100, comprising a photograph of a model of the scanner 100 and text identifying the scanner 100 and its current connection status. Upon receiving a connection request from the scanner 100, the GUI 400 outputs an indication 404 that a connection request has been received, linked to the visual representation of the scanner 100, so that the user can easily identify the scanner from other scanners available on the network. In the illustrated embodiment, the indication 404 that a connection request has been received is output in the form of a bounding box that varies around the visual representation 402, thereby making the user aware that a connection request has been received from the scanner 100. The indication 404 that a connection request has been received may be represented by the bounding box performing one or more of the following effects: fade in / out, flash, change color, or shake. The indication 404 that a connection request has been received may be included in a pop-up box in the GUI with a virtual approval button.

[0145] Additionally or alternatively, the indication 404 that a connection request has been received may include changes to the visual representation 402 of the scanner 100, such as movement, zooming, and / or fade-in / fade-out of the visual representation 402. The movement of the visual representation may be a preset animation or may be linked to movement detected by one or more motion sensors, causing the visual representation 402 to move in a manner corresponding to the scanner's movement. This allows the user to confidently identify the visual representation linked to their handheld scanner, as the movement of that visual representation will correspond to how they move the scanner.

[0146] The user can then proceed to approve the connection request through a user interaction that instructs the approval of establishing a wireless operational connection. This user interaction can be an interaction with the GUI 400, such as pressing the "Accept Connection" button in the GUI 400, or simply using a mouse cursor or touchscreen to press the visual representation 402 of the scanner 100, after which an operational connection is established between the scanning station 200 and the scanner 100.

[0147] The GUI 400 may also include one or more additional visual representations 406 associated with other scanners connected to the scanning network 250. These additional visual representations 406 may, like the visual representation 402 of scanner 100, include photographs of the various other scanner models and text identifying them and their current connection status. The disclosed method becomes more advantageous the more scanners a clinic uses, as the GUI 400 becomes increasingly congested with the number of scanners. Therefore, the disclosed invention facilitates the association of a specific scanner 100 with a scanning station by allowing the user to quickly identify the scanner on the display of the scanning station 200 at the current location through simple interaction with the scanner 100 and establish an operational connection between the two.

[0148] Figure 9 Another example of the GUI 400 of the present invention is shown, wherein the GUI 400 also includes a second visual representation 408 for use when the scanner 100 broadcasting a connection request has not yet paired with the scanning station 200 and / or the scanning network 250. The second visual representation 408 can be like... Figure 8 The visual representation is achieved in the same way as 402.

[0149] When scanner 100 is first connected to scanner network 250 or scanning station 200, further steps may be required to pair scanner 100, ensuring that communication between scanner network 250 or scanning station 200 is encrypted and secure. This may include a challenge request issued by scanning station 200 to scanner 100, which the scanner must respond with a challenge response. The challenge request may require a user interaction on scanner 100, such as button and / or gesture patterns, which scanner 100 detects through its scanner interface and uses to generate the challenge response. The required user interaction can be presented in GUI 400, allowing the user to see the answer, while someone without visual access to scanning station 200 cannot complete the challenge request.

[0150] Figure 10A scanner system including an intraoral scanner 100, a scanning station 200, and a wireless network node 230 is illustrated. The scanning station 200 includes a computer 202 operatively connected to a first display 204a, on which the scanning station 200 can output a GUI 400 and other visual information. The scanner system also includes a second display 204b, which is directly connected to the scanning station 200 in the illustrated figure, but alternatively can be connected to the scanning station 200 via a scanner network. The first display 204a and / or the second display 204b can be operatively connected to the computer 202 via a wired connection (e.g., via an HDMI or DisplayPort cable) or via a wireless connection. If either the first display 204a or the second display 204b is connected via a wireless connection, the corresponding display must include a display wireless interface, referred to herein as a third wireless interface 206. The third wireless interface 206 is configured to connect its display to the computer 202, either via a direct wireless connection or via the scanning network 250. The first display 204a can be a permanent display of the scanning station 200, for example, if the scanning station 200 is provided by a laptop computer, while the second display 204b can be a display connected to the scanning network 250.

[0151] During the scanning process, the scanning station 200 can also output a partial 3D representation of the ongoing scanning process to guide the user through the process, such as indicating which part of the patient's jaw or oral cavity has not yet been scanned, and providing the user with options for controlling the scanning process, such as through a menu from which the user can select various scanning options. For this purpose, it is advantageous that the first display is a smaller display, such as a laptop monitor or a monitor mounted on a portable stand or an adjustable arm near the dental chair, so that the user can place the first display close to the patient without obstructing dental procedures, and they can move it during the procedure, unlike a fixed wall-mounted monitor.

[0152] After the scanning process, the scanning station 200 can also output a finalized 3D representation for the user to review or to help the user communicate with the patient, such as explaining the patient's dental health and possible treatment options if needed. The user may prefer to perform this on a larger display to obtain a more detailed 3D representation view or to better present it to the patient. Therefore, the second display 204b could be a larger display more suitable for this purpose, such as a large wall-mounted monitor.

[0153] Although the patient's scan may be complete, the user may still need to perform other dental procedures on the patient. Touching objects such as remote controls, keyboards, touchscreens, or mice to select the output of the scanning station 200 would be extremely inconvenient for the user, as they would have to re-sterilize the device before resuming work on the patient's mouth to avoid the risk of infection. Therefore, providing a scanner 100 that allows selection of the output device would be advantageous for the user, as will be explained in detail below.

[0154] Figure 11 As shown above Figure 10 The scanner system described herein. In the illustrated embodiment, a scanning station 200 is provided by a laptop computer including a first display 204a. A second display 204b is provided by a monitor wirelessly connected to the scanning network 250 via a third wireless interface 206.

[0155] To select which of the first display 204a or the second display 204b should be used as the output device of the scanning station 200, the scanner 100 includes a scanner interface with one or more motion sensors 120 configured to detect movement of the intraoral scanner 100 to provide motion data. Motion data is transmitted to the scanning station 200, preferably wirelessly, although wired connections are also suitable for this application. The scanning station 200 is configured to determine, based on the motion data, which of the first display 204a and the second display, and other possible available output devices, should the scanning station 200 output data to.

[0156] like Figure 10 As shown, when motion data indicates that the user has slid the scanner 100 towards the first display 204a and toward the second display 204b, the scanning station 200 can be configured to translate this into a user command to change the output device from the first display 204a to the second display 204b. This gesture-based output device selection can be accompanied by other user interactions, such as pressing one or more buttons while performing the movement, making it less likely that the user will accidentally switch the output device.

[0157] Although the diagram uses a swipe to illustrate the gestures required to generate motion data for selecting an output device, the scanner system can be configured to associate other gestures with the user's intention to switch output devices. Scanning station 200 can determine which output device should be selected by comparing the motion data with the output criteria of each available output device. The output criteria can be stored as data in the memory of scanning station 200. The output criteria can be a default setting, such that the movement required by the user when holding scanner 100 to select a specific output device is preset, or the output criteria can be a user-defined setting, allowing the user to customize the movements they must perform when holding scanner 100 to select a specific output device.

[0158] The change between the first display 204a and the second display 204b may include putting the previous output display into sleep mode and / or activating the new output display from sleep mode. The change between the first display 204a and the second display 204b may include establishing an operational wireless connection between the scanning station 200 and the new output display. The change between the first display 204a and the second display 204b may include suspending the operational wireless connection between the scanning station 200 and the previous output display. The suspension of the operational wireless connection between the scanning station 200 and the previous output display may be delayed such that the operational wireless connection is maintained for a period of time after the display mode is switched, in case the user wishes to resume work on the previous output display.

[0159] While the first display 204a and the second display 204b are used as examples to illustrate possible output devices for scanning station 200, other or additional output devices may also be used. The intraoral scanner system may include a local server 210 for storing data from all scanning stations on scanning network 250 or a connection to cloud storage 220, either of which can be output devices selected by a user through gestures associated with selecting them as output devices.

[0160] Figure 12 A process flow diagram of a dental workflow 500 is shown. The dental workflow 500 begins with a user scanning at least a portion of a patient's oral cavity 502 using an intraoral scanner 100 to create 3D representation data including a 3D representation of the scanned portion of the patient's oral cavity. To guide the user during the scanning process 502, they may wish to have a partial 3D representation output on a first display 204a to visually determine progress and which portions of the patient's oral cavity have not yet been scanned.

[0161] Subsequently, the user may want to examine the 3D representation obtained at 504 or present it to the patient on a larger screen. To do this, the user can select the second display 204b as the output device using gestures while holding the scanner 100, which will generate motion data associated with the selection of the second display 204b by the scanning station 200. The user can also select the server 210 as the output device to store the 3D representation data 506 in the patient's medical record, and / or forward the 3D representation data 508 to a colleague for further diagnosis 508 by selecting a colleague's computer as the output device; both of these can be accomplished by performing appropriate gestures while holding the scanner 100. After these steps, the user can then resume 510 to perform other dental procedures on the patient; if they used non-sterile equipment to select the output device in the previous steps, they will need to change gloves and re-sterilize.

[0162] Figure 13 An example of a graphical user interface (GUI) 400 displayed on a first display 204a is shown. The GUI 400 includes a movable selection tool 410, such as a cursor, for navigating and selecting options within the GUI 400. The scanning station 200 can be configured to translate motion data provided by the scanner 100 into movement of the selection tool 410, and similarly, to translate button presses on the scanner 100 into selection of an option associated with the current position of the selection tool 410, thereby allowing the scanner 100 to function as an indicator.

[0163] In the illustrated embodiment, at least some or all of the output criteria are associated with the GUI 400 and are implemented as invisible boundary conditions 412, 414 arranged at the edges of the GUI 400. The GUI 400 includes a first boundary condition 412, which may be, for example, the output criterion of the second display 204b, and the scanning station 200 may be configured to determine that the output criterion of the second display 204b is met when the user moves the scanner 100 to generate motion data that causes the selection tool 410 to move to or cross the first boundary condition 412. The first boundary condition 412 is arranged at the right edge of the GUI 400, so the user must move the scanner 100 to the right, optionally while holding down a button, to move the selection tool 410 to or cross the first boundary condition 412. At this time, the scanning station will determine that the output criterion of the device (e.g., the second display 204b) associated with the first boundary condition 412 is met and select that device as the output destination.

[0164] Similarly, GUI 400 includes a second boundary condition 414, which could be, for example, the output criterion of cloud storage 220, and scanning station 200 can be configured to determine that the output criterion of cloud storage 220 is met when the user moves scanner 100 to generate motion data that causes selection tool 410 to move to or cross the second boundary condition 414. The second boundary condition 414 is located at the upper edge of GUI 400, so the user must move scanner 100 upwards, optionally while holding down a button, to move selection tool 410 to or cross the second boundary condition 414. At this point, scanning station 200 will determine that the output criterion of cloud storage 220 is met and select it as the output destination.

[0165] By utilizing one or more motion sensors 120 of scanner 100 as a control means for scanning station 200, users can control scanning station 200 and select output devices without the risk of contaminating their hands. Therefore, they can continue the scanning process without interrupting it by re-disinfecting their hands. This not only saves time for users and reduces costs for patients, but also reduces the risk of forgetful users resuming scanning without disinfecting their hands after touching a contaminated source, a risk that could lead to infection.

[0166] The method and system described above for selecting an output device based on gesture control detected by the intraoral scanner 100 can be extended by replacing or supplementing the motion detection of one or more motion sensors 120 of the scanner 100 with other gesture detection means. Therefore, motion data can be additionally or alternatively provided by other devices for detecting user gestures, such as camera devices that track user eye movements and / or lidar devices that track user hand gestures, thereby providing the user with the option to select an output device from multiple available output devices in the dental workflow 500.

[0167] Figure 14 A set of intraoral scanners is shown, including a first scanner 100a and a second scanner 100b. Each of the first scanner 100a and the second scanner 100b includes a memory 124, in which configuration settings can be stored. The configuration settings may include one or more of the following: stored network credentials for the scanning network 250, user settings that modify the operation of the scanner 100 from its default settings, scanner certificates, and long-term keys for encrypted communication with paired devices. For clinics that already have one scanner 100 and are adding another, setting up the new scanner with configuration settings matching its original scanner can be time-consuming. This can be addressed by providing a scanner 100 configured to operate in cloning mode, in which the configuration settings of the other scanner are cloned onto the scanner 100.

[0168] In the illustrated embodiment, the first scanner 100a is a user-customized, pre-configured scanner. On the other hand, the second scanner 100b is a new scanner with default settings, which the user may want to customize to be the same as the first scanner 100a. The first scanner 100a and the second scanner 100b are configured to operate in cloning mode, in which a wireless inter-scanner connection 150 is established, allowing data exchange between the first scanner 100a and the second scanner 100b. When entering cloning mode, each scanner 100a, 100b must enter either a source scanner cloning mode or a target scanner cloning mode to define the direction of the cloning process. The first scanner 100a is referred to as the source scanner 100a and therefore enters the source scanner cloning sub-mode, while the second scanner 100b is referred to as the target scanner 100b and will enter the target scanner cloning sub-mode.

[0169] In cloning mode, the source scanner 100a generates a configuration settings data packet based on its own configuration settings. The source scanner 100a is configured to transmit the configuration settings data packet to the target scanner 100b via the inter-scanner connection 150. Upon receiving the configuration settings data packet, the target scanner 100b stores the new configuration settings in its memory 124 based on the data packet and restarts if necessary, thus customizing the target scanner 100b to be identical to the source scanner 100a.

[0170] The scanner-to-scanner connection 150 can operate independently of the primary wireless connection used to connect to the scanning station 200 and the scanner network 250, enabling the cloning of the source scanner 100a without losing any pre-existing connections. Furthermore, the scanner-to-scanner connection 150 should be secure and encrypted, as network credentials and other potentially private information will be cloned.

[0171] To enter cloning mode, one or more buttons 118 can be used, possibly in conjunction with powering on the scanner 100, by providing a scanner 100 configured to associate a first button press mode with a user command to enter cloning mode. The first button press mode can be followed by a second button press mode to identify the source scanner 100a, or a third button press mode to identify the target scanner 100b, thus clarifying the cloning direction. The simplest first button press mode would be a single button press on the target scanner 100b (optionally at power-on), while it is near the powered-on source scanner 100a. In this scenario, all scanners are ready to be cloned at any time, as cloning is triggered by the target scanner 100b.

[0172] To reduce the risk of users accidentally triggering the cloning process and unintentionally rewriting scanner 100, the first button press mode can be more complex than simply pressing a button, for example, requiring a combination and / or long press of one or more buttons 118. Entering cloning mode may also cause one or both scanners 100a, 100b to output a cloning notification, such as a tactile, auditory, and / or visual notification, after which scanners 100a, 100b wait for a preset duration to allow the user to stop, or require further user interaction to confirm that scanners 100a, 100b should enter cloning mode.

[0173] To reduce battery consumption of the inter-scanner connection 150, it can operate only for the duration required by the cloning process. Therefore, establishing the inter-scanner connection 150 can be initiated by entering cloning mode, and the inter-scanner connection 150 can be paused when the target scanner 100b determines that it has received the configuration settings data packet.

[0174] Figure 15 This illustration shows how one or more motion sensors 120 are used to define the direction of the cloning process. After entering cloning mode, a user can perform directional user interactions while holding one of the scanners 100a or 100b. In the illustrated embodiment, the user holds the source scanner 100a and performs a sliding movement toward the target scanner 100b, supported by one or more motion sensors 120, optionally by a position determination unit 122, whereby the scanners 100a and 100b can determine which is the source scanner 100a and which is the target scanner 100b based on motion data generated from this movement detection.

[0175] Figure 16 The cloning setup is illustrated, in which the source scanner 100a, in addition to having an inter-scanner connection 150, also has an active wireless operating connection to the scanning station 200. To prevent unauthorized cloning by any actor capable of accessing the scanner 100 or a device emulating the scanner, entering cloning mode requires the source scanner 100a to receive cloning approval from the scanning station 200, adding an extra layer of protection. When a first button press pattern is detected on one or both of the source scanner 100a or the target scanner 100b, the source scanner 100a can transmit a cloning request to the scanning station 200, which then outputs a notification and an option to approve the cloning in the GUI 400. If the user approves the cloning, the scanning station 200 transmits cloning approval to the source scanner 100a so that the scanning process can continue.

[0176] Figure 17The cloning process is illustrated, where the configuration settings that the user wants to clone onto the target scanner 100b are stored in the scanning station 200. In this extended case, the configuration settings are cloned from the scanning station 200, and the application running on the scanning station 200 acts as the cloning source instead of the source scanner 100a. The scanning station 200 should support the necessary wireless technologies. Before initiating the cloning, the application is launched and configured for cloning. Then, a cloning trigger mode is used on the target scanner to initiate the configuration cloning from the application.

[0177] Figure 18 A flowchart is shown for assisted proximity establishment for wireless operational connectivity between intraoral scanner 100 and scanning station 200 across multiple scanning stations. The method may be initiated automatically or optionally include user interaction indicated by intraoral scanner 600 indicating an intention to establish a wireless operational connectivity. As previously disclosed, this may include detection of motion patterns of the intraoral scanner associated with the intention to establish a wireless operational connectivity by one or more motion sensors of the intraoral scanner.

[0178] Once the method begins, it includes detecting 602 the distance between the intraoral scanner 100 and at least some (preferably all) scanning stations, and then determining 604 the scanning station 200 among the plurality of scanning stations that is closest to the intraoral scanner 100. Prior to establishing a wireless operating connection, the method optionally includes issuing a 606 challenge request by the scanning station determined to be closest to the intraoral scanner 100, and the intraoral scanner 100 responding to the challenge request 608. The method optionally also includes distributing 610 short-term and / or long-term keys between the intraoral scanner 100 and the scanning station determined to be closest to the intraoral scanner 100. Finally, the method includes establishing 612 a wireless operating connection between the intraoral scanner 100 and the scanning station 200 determined to be closest to the intraoral scanner 100.

[0179] Figure 19 A flowchart is shown for assisting in the establishment of a wireless operational connection between an intraoral scanner 100 and a scanning station 200 across multiple scanning stations. The method may begin automatically or optionally include user interaction indicated by the intraoral scanner 700 indicative of an intention to establish a wireless operational connection. As previously disclosed, this may include the detection of motion patterns of the intraoral scanner associated with the intention to establish a wireless operational connection by one or more motion sensors of the intraoral scanner.

[0180] Once the method begins, it includes detecting 702 the location of the intraoral scanner 100, and subsequently identifying 704 a plurality of scanning stations associated with the detected location. Prior to establishing a wireless operational connection, the method optionally includes issuing a 706 challenge request by the scanning station identified as associated with the detected location, and responding 708 to the challenge request by the intraoral scanner 100. The method optionally also includes distributing 710 short-term and / or long-term keys between the intraoral scanner 100 and the scanning station identified as associated with the detected location. Finally, a 712 wireless operational connection is established between the intraoral scanner and the scanning station identified as associated with the detected location.

[0181] Figure 20 An example is shown where one or more motion sensors 120 are configured to detect the direction of sway. Gestures of swaying the scanner as a user interaction can be used in all of the methods and systems described above. One or more motion sensors 120 may be configured to detect linear sway, i.e., movement along the longitudinal direction 802 and / or the width or height direction 800 of the scanner 100, and / or to detect rotational sway 804, i.e., rotation about a pivot point of the scanner 100.

[0182] The use of the terms "first," "second," "third," and "fourth," "primary," "secondary," and "relatively important," etc., does not imply any particular order, but is used to identify individual elements. Furthermore, the use of the terms "first," "second," "third," and "fourth," "primary," "secondary," and "relatively important," etc., does not indicate any order or importance, but is used to distinguish one element from another. Note that the terms "first," "second," "third," and "fourth," "primary," "secondary," and "relatively important," etc., are used here and elsewhere for labelling purposes only and are not intended to indicate any particular spatial or temporal order. Moreover, the labeling of a first element does not imply the existence of a second element, and vice versa.

[0183] It should be noted that the word "including" does not necessarily exclude the existence of other elements or steps besides those listed. It should also be noted that the words "one" or "a" preceding an element do not exclude the existence of multiple such elements.

[0184] It should also be noted that any reference numerals do not limit the scope of the claims, exemplary embodiments may be implemented at least in part by both hardware and software, and multiple “apparatus”, “units” or “devices” may be represented by the same hardware item.

[0185] It should be understood that references throughout this specification to "an embodiment," "an embodiment," or "an aspect," or as features that "may" be included, mean that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with that embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of this disclosure. Furthermore, particular features, structures, or characteristics may be suitably combined in one or more embodiments of this disclosure. The foregoing description is provided to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the various aspects described herein. Various modifications to these aspects will be apparent to those skilled in the art, and the general principles defined herein may be applied to other aspects.

[0186] Although embodiments and features have been shown and described, it should be understood that they are not intended to limit the claimed invention, and it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the claimed invention. Therefore, the specification and drawings should be considered illustrative rather than restrictive. The claimed invention is intended to cover all alternatives, modifications, and equivalents.

[0187] Further details

[0188] Embodiments of the invention are disclosed in the following list of items:

[0189] 1. A method for establishing a wireless operational connection between an intraoral scanner and a scanning station, the method comprising:

[0190] - User interaction that establishes a wireless operating connection intention based on an intraoral scanner detection indication;

[0191] - Based on user interaction that detects the indication of an intention to establish a wireless operational connection, the intraoral scanner broadcasts a connection request;

[0192] - The connection request is received by the scanning station; and

[0193] - The scanning station outputs an indication that the connection request has been received.

[0194] 2. The method described in Project 1 further includes:

[0195] - User interaction approved by the scanning station to establish the wireless operating connection; and

[0196] - Establish the wireless operating connection between the intraoral scanner and the scanning station.

[0197] 3. The method according to any one of the foregoing items, wherein the detection of user interaction indicating an intention to establish a wireless operational connection includes:

[0198] • Motion patterns of the intraoral scanner associated with the intention to establish a wireless operating connection are detected by one or more motion sensors of the intraoral scanner.

[0199] 4. The method according to Project 3, wherein the motion mode is the shaking of the intraoral scanner.

[0200] 5. The method according to any of the foregoing items when it is subordinate to item 2, wherein establishing the wireless operational connection between the intraoral scanner and the scanning station includes:

[0201] • The scanning station sends a challenge request to the intraoral scanner;

[0202] • The intraoral scanner obtains the challenge response to the challenge request;

[0203] • The challenge response is transmitted from the intraoral scanner to the scanning station.

[0204] 6. The method according to any of the foregoing items when it is subordinate to item 2, wherein establishing the wireless operational connection between the intraoral scanner and the scanning station includes:

[0205] • Distribute short-term and / or long-term keys between the intraoral scanner and the scanning station.

[0206] 7. The method according to any one of the preceding items, wherein outputting an indication that the connection request has been received includes displaying a graphical user interface (GUI) on a display of the scanning station, the graphical user interface including a visual representation of the intraoral scanner.

[0207] 8. The method according to item 7, wherein the GUI includes a visual representation of one or more other available intraoral scanners, and wherein the indication that the connection request has been received includes highlighting the visual representation of the intraoral scanner relative to the visual representation of the one or more other available intraoral scanners.

[0208] 9. The method according to item 8, wherein highlighting the visual representation of the intraoral scanner relative to the visual representation of the one or more other available intraoral scanners includes one or more of the following: magnifying, shaking, framing, or flashing the visual representation of the intraoral scanner.

[0209] 10. An intraoral scanner system, comprising:

[0210] - Intraoral scanner, including:

[0211] • Scanner interface, which is configured to detect user interactions indicating an intention to establish a wireless operational connection, and

[0212] • A first wireless interface, configured to broadcast a connection request based on a detected user interaction indicating an intention to establish a wireless operational connection.

[0213] - Scanning stations, including:

[0214] • A second wireless interface, configured to receive the connection request, and

[0215] • A display configured to output a graphical user interface (GUI) including an indication that the connection request has been received.

[0216] 11. The intraoral scanner system according to Item 10, wherein the scanning station further comprises:

[0217] • The scanning station interface is configured to detect user interactions that indicate approval to establish the wireless operating connection.

[0218] The intraoral scanner system is configured to establish the wireless operational connection between the intraoral scanner and the scanning station when a user interaction indicating approval for establishing the wireless operational connection is detected.

[0219] 12. The intraoral scanner system according to item 10 or 11, wherein the user interaction indicating the intention to establish a wireless operational connection includes a motion pattern of the intraoral scanner associated with the intention to establish a wireless operational connection, and

[0220] The scanner interface includes one or more motion sensors configured to detect the motion pattern.

[0221] 13. The intraoral scanner system according to item 12, wherein the motion mode is the shaking of the intraoral scanner.

[0222] 14. An intraoral scanner system according to any one of items 10 to 13 when subordinate to item 12, wherein the scanning station is configured to receive a challenge request and transmit the challenge request to the intraoral scanner; and

[0223] The intraoral scanner is configured to receive a challenge response to the challenge request and transmit the challenge response to the scanning station.

[0224] 15. An intraoral scanner system according to any one of items 10 to 14 when it is subordinate to item 2, wherein the intraoral scanner and / or the scanning station are configured to obtain one or more short-term keys and / or long-term keys, and to distribute the one or more short-term keys and / or long-term keys between the intraoral scanner and the scanning station.

[0225] 16. The intraoral scanner system according to any one of items 10 to 15, wherein the GUI includes a visual representation of the intraoral scanner.

[0226] 17. The intraoral scanner system according to item 16, wherein the GUI includes a visual representation of one or more other available intraoral scanners, and wherein the indication that the connection request has been received includes highlighting the visual representation of the intraoral scanner relative to the visual representation of the one or more other available intraoral scanners.

[0227] 18. The intraoral scanner system according to item 17, wherein highlighting the visual representation of the intraoral scanner relative to the visual representation of the one or more other available intraoral scanners includes one or more of the following: magnifying, shaking, framing, or flashing the visual representation of the intraoral scanner.

[0228] 19. A data processing system, such as an intraoral scanner system, comprising one or more processors configured to perform the steps of the method described in any one of items 1 to 9.

[0229] 20. A computer program product comprising instructions that, when executed by an intraoral scanner system, cause the intraoral scanner system to perform the steps of any one of the methods described in items 1 to 9.

[0230] 21. A method for establishing a wireless operational connection between an intraoral scanner and multiple scanning stations, the method comprising:

[0231] - Detect the distance between the intraoral scanner and at least some (preferably all) of the scanning stations;

[0232] - Identify the scanning station among the plurality of scanning stations that is closest to the intraoral scanner; and

[0233] - Establish a wireless operating connection between the intraoral scanner and the scanning station closest to the intraoral scanner.

[0234] 22. A method for establishing a wireless operational connection between an intraoral scanner and multiple scanning stations, the method comprising:

[0235] - Detect the position of the intraoral scanner;

[0236] - Identify the scanning station among multiple scanning stations that is associated with the detected location;

[0237] - Establish a wireless operating connection between the intraoral scanner and the scanning station identified as being associated with the detected location.

[0238] 23. The method according to item 21 or 22, wherein the method is initiated by user interaction indicating an intention to establish a wireless operational connection, detected by the intraoral scanner.

[0239] 24. The method according to item 23, wherein the user interaction indicating the intent to establish a wireless operational connection includes:

[0240] • Motion patterns of the intraoral scanner associated with the intention to establish a wireless operating connection are detected by one or more motion sensors of the intraoral scanner.

[0241] 25. The method according to item 24, wherein the motion pattern is the shaking of the intraoral scanner.

[0242] 26. The method according to any one of items 21 to 25, wherein establishing the wireless operating connection between the intraoral scanner and the scanning station comprises:

[0243] • The scanning station sends a challenge request to the intraoral scanner;

[0244] • The intraoral scanner obtains the challenge response to the challenge request;

[0245] • The challenge response is transmitted from the intraoral scanner to the scanning station.

[0246] 27. The method according to any one of items 21 to 26, wherein establishing the wireless operational connection between the intraoral scanner and the scanning station comprises:

[0247] • Distribute short-term and / or long-term keys between the intraoral scanner and the scanning station.

[0248] 28. An intraoral scanner system, comprising:

[0249] - An intraoral scanner, which includes a first wireless interface;

[0250] - Multiple scanning stations, each of which includes a second wireless interface; and

[0251] - A location determination system configured to detect the distance between the intraoral scanner and at least some of the plurality of scanning stations and / or the position of the intraoral scanner.

[0252] The intraoral scanner system is configured to establish a wireless operating connection between the intraoral scanner and the scanning station closest to the intraoral scanner among the plurality of scanning stations, or

[0253] The intraoral scanner system is configured to establish a wireless operating connection between the intraoral scanner and a scanning station associated with the detected location.

[0254] 29. The intraoral scanner system according to item 28, wherein the intraoral scanner further includes a scanner interface configured to detect user interaction indicating an intention to establish a wireless operational connection, and

[0255] The intraoral scanner system is configured to initiate distance or location detection and establish a wireless operational connection between the intraoral scanner and the scanner upon detecting a user interaction indicating an intention to establish a wireless operational connection.

[0256] 30. The intraoral scanner system according to item 29, wherein the user interaction indicating the intention to establish a wireless operational connection includes a motion pattern of the intraoral scanner associated with the intention to establish a wireless operational connection, and

[0257] The scanner interface includes one or more motion sensors configured to detect the motion pattern.

[0258] 31. The intraoral scanner system according to item 30, wherein the motion mode is the shaking of the intraoral scanner.

[0259] 32. The intraoral scanner system according to any one of items 28 to 31, wherein the plurality of scanning stations are configured to receive a challenge request and transmit the challenge request to the intraoral scanner; and

[0260] The intraoral scanner is configured to receive a challenge response to the challenge request and transmit the challenge response to the scanning station closest to the intraoral scanner or the scanning station associated with the detected location among the plurality of scanning stations.

[0261] 33. The intraoral scanner system according to any one of items 28 to 32, wherein the intraoral scanner and / or the scanning station is configured to obtain one or more short-term keys and / or long-term keys, and to distribute the one or more short-term keys and / or long-term keys between the intraoral scanner and the scanning station closest to the intraoral scanner or the scanning station associated with the detected location.

[0262] 34. The intraoral scanner system according to any one of items 28 to 33, wherein the intraoral scanner includes a positioning unit that provides at least a portion of the positioning system.

[0263] 35. The intraoral scanner system according to item 34, wherein the position determination unit includes one or more position sensors configured to transmit position signals and / or one or more position beacons configured to detect the position of the scanner.

[0264] 36. A data processing system, such as an intraoral scanner system, includes one or more processors configured to perform the steps of the method described in any one of items 21 to 27.

[0265] 36. A computer program product comprising instructions that, when executed by an intraoral scanner system, cause the intraoral scanner system to perform the steps of any one of items 21 to 27 of the method.

[0266] 37. An intraoral scanner system, comprising:

[0267] - Intraoral scanner, including:

[0268] An optical system having a projection unit and a camera unit, the optical system being configured to capture multiple 2D images to provide image data, and

[0269] • A scanner interface having one or more motion sensors configured to detect movement of the intraoral scanner to provide motion data; and

[0270] - A scanning station operatively connected to the intraoral scanner, the scanning station comprising:

[0271] One or more processors are configured to generate 3D representation data based on the image data.

[0272] • An output interface configured to connect to a plurality of output devices, the output interface being configured to provide output data to a selected output device among the plurality of output devices based on the 3D representation data, and

[0273] • A first display, which is one of the plurality of output devices.

[0274] The scanning station is configured to determine, based on the motion data, which of the plurality of output devices is the selected output device.

[0275] 38. The intraoral scanner system according to item 37, wherein the plurality of output devices includes a second display, wherein the scanning station is configured to switch between a first display mode (wherein the first display is used as a main display) and a second display mode (wherein the second display is used as a main display).

[0276] 39. The intraoral scanner system according to item 38, wherein the scanning station is configured to place the second display in a power reduction mode, such as an idle or off mode, when switching from the second display mode to the first display mode.

[0277] 40. The intraoral scanner system according to item 38 or 39, wherein the scanning station is configured to switch the second display from a power-reduced mode (e.g., idle or off mode) to an active mode when switching from the first display mode to the second display mode.

[0278] 41. The intraoral scanner system according to any one of items 37 to 40, wherein the scanner interface further includes one or more buttons configured to detect a user interaction indicating selection of an output device, wherein the scanning station is configured to determine which of the plurality of output devices is the selected output device based on the detection of the user interaction indicating selection of an output device.

[0279] 42. The intraoral scanner system according to any one of items 37 to 41, wherein the motion data includes data indicating one or more of the following: the direction of movement, distance of movement, speed of movement, direction of rotation, and speed of rotation of the intraoral scanner.

[0280] 43. An intraoral scanner system according to any one of items 37 to 42, wherein the scanning station is configured to determine whether the motion data satisfies an output device criterion for each of the plurality of output devices, and if the motion data satisfies one of the output device criteria, then the output device associated with the satisfied criterion is set as the selected output device.

[0281] 44. The intraoral scanner system according to any one of items 37 to 43, wherein the scanning station is further configured to convert the motion data into movement of a cursor displayed on the first display.

[0282] 45. The intraoral scanner system according to items 43 and 44, wherein the output device standard is a boundary condition on the first display, and wherein the output device standard is satisfied when the cursor moves across the boundary condition associated with the output device standard.

[0283] 46. ​​A method for selecting an output device in an intraoral scanner system, the intraoral scanner system comprising an intraoral scanner, a scanning station, and a plurality of output devices, the method comprising:

[0284] - Multiple 2D images are captured by the intraoral scanner to provide image data;

[0285] - The movement of the intraoral scanner is detected by the intraoral scanner to provide motion data;

[0286] - The scanning station generates 3D representation data based on the image data;

[0287] - Output data is generated by the scanning station based on the 3D representation data;

[0288] - Based on the motion data, determine which of the plurality of output devices is the selected output device; and

[0289] - Output the output data to the selected output device.

[0290] 47. The method according to item 46, wherein the plurality of output devices includes a first display and a second display, wherein the method further includes:

[0291] - Based on the motion data, switch between a first display mode (where the first display serves as the main display of the scanning station) and a second display mode (where the second display serves as the main display of the scanning station).

[0292] 48. The method according to item 48, wherein switching from the second display mode to the first display mode includes placing the second display in a power-reduced mode, such as an idle or off mode.

[0293] 49. The method according to item 47 or 48, wherein switching from the first display mode to the second display mode includes switching the second display from a power-reduced mode (e.g., an idle or off mode) to an active mode.

[0294] 50. The method according to any one of items 46 to 49, wherein the method further comprises:

[0295] - User interaction that selects an output device by detecting one or more buttons on the intraoral scanner.

[0296] The determination of which of the plurality of output devices is the selected output device based on the motion data is also based on detecting user interaction indicating the selection of the output device.

[0297] 51. The method according to any one of items 46 to 50, wherein the motion data includes data indicating one or more of the following: the direction of movement, distance of movement, speed of movement, direction of rotation, and speed of rotation of the intraoral scanner.

[0298] 52. The method according to any one of items 46 to 51, wherein determining which of the plurality of output devices is the selected output device based on the motion data comprises:

[0299] • Determine whether the motion data meets the output device standard of each of the plurality of output devices, and

[0300] If the motion data satisfies one of the output device criteria, then the output device associated with the satisfied criterion is set as the selected output device.

[0301] 53. The method according to any one of items 46 to 52, wherein the method further comprises:

[0302] - Displays a graphical user interface including a cursor; and

[0303] - Convert the motion data into the movement of the cursor.

[0304] 54. The method according to items 52 and 53, wherein the output device criterion is a boundary condition in the graphical user interface, and wherein the output device criterion is satisfied when the cursor moves over a boundary condition associated with the output device criterion.

[0305] 55. A data processing system, such as an intraoral scanner system, includes one or more processors configured to perform the steps of the method described in any one of items 46-54.

[0306] 56. A computer program product comprising instructions that, when executed by an intraoral scanner system, cause the intraoral scanner system to perform the steps of any one of items 46 to 54 of the method.

[0307] 57. An intraoral scanner, comprising:

[0308] - An optical system that includes a projection unit and a camera unit;

[0309] - Memory, which is configured with storage configuration settings;

[0310] - A processing unit configured to operate based on the configuration settings;

[0311] - Scanner interface, which is configured to detect user interactions;

[0312] - First wireless interface

[0313] The intraoral scanner is configured to operate in cloning mode, in which the intraoral scanner is in one of the following two sub-modes:

[0314] • Source scanner cloning mode, in which the intraoral scanner is configured to generate one or more configuration setting data packets based on the configuration settings, and transmit the one or more configuration setting data packets to another intraoral scanner via the first wireless interface, and

[0315] • Target scanner cloning mode, in which the intraoral scanner is configured to receive one or more configuration setting data packets from another intraoral scanner or from a scanning station via the first wireless interface, and update the configuration settings based on the received one or more configuration setting data packets.

[0316] 58. The intraoral scanner of claim 57, wherein the first wireless interface is configured to provide a direct wireless connection to the other intraoral scanner or scanning station.

[0317] 59. The intraoral scanner according to item 57 or 58, wherein the first wireless interface is configured to provide an encrypted wireless connection to the other intraoral scanner or scanning station.

[0318] 60. The intraoral scanner according to any one of items 57 to 59, wherein the first wireless interface is configured to exchange encryption keys with the other intraoral scanner or scanning station.

[0319] 61. An intraoral scanner according to any one of items 57 to 61, wherein the scanner interface includes one or more buttons, wherein the intraoral scanner is configured to enter the cloning mode upon detection of a first button press pattern.

[0320] 62. The intraoral scanner according to item 61, wherein the intraoral scanner is configured to enter the cloning mode in the source scanner cloning mode when a second button press mode is detected.

[0321] 63. The intraoral scanner according to item 61 or 62, wherein the intraoral scanner is configured to enter the cloning mode in the target scanner cloning mode when a third button press mode is detected.

[0322] 64. The intraoral scanner of claim 61, wherein the scanner interface includes one or more motion sensors, and wherein the intraoral scanner is configured to enter the clone mode in the source scanner clone mode upon detection of a first motion pattern.

[0323] 65. The intraoral scanner according to item 64, wherein the intraoral scanner is configured to enter the cloning mode in the target scanner cloning mode when a second motion mode is detected.

[0324] 66. An intraoral scanner according to any one of items 57 to 65, wherein the intraoral scanner is configured to wait for cloning approval from the scanning station before entering the source scanner cloning mode.

[0325] 67. An intraoral scanner according to any one of items 57 to 66, wherein the intraoral scanner is configured to transmit a cloning request to the other intraoral scanner or the scanning station when entering the target scanner cloning mode.

[0326] 68. An intraoral scanner according to any one of items 57 to 67, wherein the intraoral scanner is configured to output a cloning notification when entering the target scanner cloning mode.

[0327] 69. An intraoral scanner according to any one of items 57 to 68, wherein the intraoral scanner is configured to wait for a fixed period of time or wait for user interaction indicating an intention to update the intraoral scanner before updating the configuration settings when entering the target scanner cloning mode.

[0328] 69. An intraoral scanner according to any one of items 57 to 68, wherein the intraoral scanner includes a position determination unit configured to detect the distance of the other intraoral scanner or scanning station, wherein the intraoral scanner is configured to enter the cloning mode only when the detected distance is less than a cloning proximity threshold.

[0329] 70. A method for cloning configuration settings to an intraoral scanner, the method comprising:

[0330] - Establish a wireless operating connection between an intraoral scanner and another intraoral scanner or scanning station;

[0331] - Activate the cloning mode of the intraoral scanner;

[0332] - Receive one or more configuration settings data packets from the other intraoral scanner or from the scanning station; and

[0333] - Update the configuration settings of the intraoral scanner based on the received configuration setting data packets.

[0334] 71. The method according to item 70, wherein the wireless operating connection is a direct wireless connection to the other intraoral scanner or scanning station.

[0335] 72. The method according to item 70 or 71, wherein the wireless operating connection is an encrypted wireless connection to the other intraoral scanner or scanning station.

[0336] 73. The method according to item 71 or 72, wherein the method further comprises:

[0337] - Exchange encryption keys with the other intraoral scanner or scanning station.

[0338] 74. The method according to any one of items 70 to 73, wherein the method further comprises:

[0339] - The first button press pattern is detected by a scanner interface including one or more buttons of the intraoral scanner;

[0340] The cloning mode of the intraoral scanner is activated based on the detection of the first button press mode.

[0341] 75. The method according to any one of items 70 to 74, wherein activating the cloning mode of the intraoral scanner comprises:

[0342] • Transmit a cloning request to the other intraoral scanner or the scanning station.

[0343] 76. The method according to any one of items 70 to 75, wherein activating the cloning mode of the intraoral scanner comprises:

[0344] • Output clone notification.

[0345] 77. The method according to any one of items 70 to 76, wherein the method further comprises:

[0346] - Wait for a fixed period of time or for user interaction indicating an intention to update the intraoral scanner before updating the configuration settings of the intraoral scanner.

[0347] 78. The method according to any one of items 70 to 76, wherein the method further comprises:

[0348] - The distance to the other intraoral scanner or scanning station is detected by the scanner interface including the position determination unit of the intraoral scanner;

[0349] The cloning mode of the intraoral scanner is activated based on the detected distance.

[0350] 79. The method according to item 78, wherein initiating the cloning mode requires the detected distance to be less than the cloning proximity threshold.

[0351] 80. A data processing system, such as an intraoral scanner, includes one or more processors configured to perform the steps of the method described in any one of items 70 to 79.

[0352] 81. A computer program product comprising instructions that, when executed by an intraoral scanner, cause the intraoral scanner to perform the steps of any one of items 70 to 79 of the method.

[0353] List of reference numerals

[0354] 100 intraoral scanner

[0355] 100a Source Intraoral Scanner

[0356] 100b Target Intraoral Scanner

[0357] 102 Scanner Tip

[0358] 104 remote

[0359] 106 proximal end

[0360] 108 Optical System

[0361] 110 processing unit

[0362] 112 Communication Unit

[0363] 114 or more antennas

[0364] 116 energy source

[0365] 118 or more buttons

[0366] 120 or more motion sensors

[0367] 122 Position Determination Unit

[0368] 150 scanner connections

[0369] 200 scanning stations

[0370] 202 Scanning Station Computer

[0371] 204 Scan Station Display

[0372] 204a Scanning Station First Display

[0373] 204b Scanning Station Second Display

[0374] 210 One or more local servers

[0375] 220 Cloud Network

[0376] 230 wireless network nodes

[0377] 250 scan network

[0378] 300 detection indicates the user interaction intended to establish a wireless operating connection.

[0379] 302 Broadcast Connection Request

[0380] 304 Connection Request Received

[0381] 306 output indicates that a connection request has been received.

[0382] 308 Inspection Instruction Approves User Interaction for Establishing Wireless Operational Connection

[0383] 310 Establish a secure connection

[0384] 312 Establish wireless operation connection

[0385] 314 Termination without establishing a wireless operating connection

[0386] 400 Graphical User Interface (GUI)

[0387] 402 Visual representation associated with scanner

[0388] 404 Indication: Connection request received

[0389] 406 One or more other visual representations associated with other scanners

[0390] 408 Second Visual Representation

[0391] 500 Dental Workflow

[0392] 502 scan

[0393] 504 Preliminary Analysis / Consultation with Patients

[0394] 506 stores 3D representation data

[0395] 508 Diagnosis

[0396] 510 resume work with patients

[0397] 600 User interaction based on intraoral scanner detection indicating intent to establish wireless operating connection

[0398] 602 Detects the distance between the intraoral scanner and the scanning station.

[0399] 604 determines the nearest scanning station to the intraoral scanner.

[0400] Request for inquiry 606 was issued by the scanning station identified as the closest to the intraoral scanner.

[0401] 608 The intraoral scanner responds to the inquiry request.

[0402] 610 Distribute short-term and / or long-term keys

[0403] 612 Establish a wireless operating connection between the intraoral scanner and the scanning station identified as the closest to the intraoral scanner.

[0404] 700 User interaction based on intraoral scanner detection indicating intent to establish wireless operating connection

[0405] 702 Detection of the position of the intraoral scanner

[0406] 704 identifies the scanning station associated with the detected location.

[0407] 706 is a challenge request issued by a scanning station identified as being associated with the detected location.

[0408] 708 The intraoral scanner responds to the inquiry request

[0409] 710 Distribute short-term and / or long-term keys

[0410] 712 establishes a wireless operating connection between the intraoral scanner and the scanning station identified as being associated with the detected location.

[0411] Linear wobble in the width direction of the 800 scanner

[0412] 802 scanner longitudinal linear wobbling

[0413] 804 rotating and wobbling around the scanner pivot point

Claims

1. A method for establishing a wireless operating connection between an intraoral scanner and a scanning station, the method comprising: - User interaction that establishes a wireless operating connection intention based on an intraoral scanner detection indication; - Based on user interaction that detects the indication of an intention to establish a wireless operational connection, the intraoral scanner broadcasts a connection request; - The connection request is received by the scanning station; as well as - The scanning station outputs an indication to the user that the connection request has been received.

2. The method according to claim 1, further comprising: - User interaction approved by the scanning station to establish the wireless operating connection; as well as - Establish the wireless operating connection between the intraoral scanner and the scanning station.

3. The method according to claim 2, wherein, Establishing the wireless operating connection between the intraoral scanner and the scanning station includes: • The scanning station sends a challenge request to the intraoral scanner; • The intraoral scanner obtains the challenge response to the challenge request; • The challenge response is transmitted from the intraoral scanner to the scanning station.

4. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The user interaction indicating the intent to establish a wireless operational connection includes: • Motion patterns of the intraoral scanner associated with the intention to establish a wireless operational connection are detected by one or more motion sensors of the intraoral scanner.

5. The method according to claim 4, wherein, The motion pattern is the shaking of the intraoral scanner.

6. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, Outputting an indication that the connection request has been received includes displaying a graphical interface that includes a visual representation of the intraoral scanner.

7. The method according to claim 6, wherein, The graphical interface includes a visual representation of one or more other available intraoral scanners, and wherein the indication that the connection request has been received includes highlighting the visual representation of the intraoral scanner relative to the visual representation of the one or more other available intraoral scanners.

8. The method according to claim 7, wherein, Highlighting the visual representation of the intraoral scanner relative to the visual representation of one or more other available intraoral scanners includes one or more of the following: magnifying, shaking, framing, or flashing the visual representation of the intraoral scanner.

9. A computer program product comprising instructions that, when executed by an intraoral scanner system, cause the intraoral scanner system to perform the steps of the method according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

10. An intraoral scanner system, comprising: - Intraoral scanner, including: • Scanner interface, which is configured to detect user interactions indicating an intention to establish a wireless operational connection, and • A first wireless interface, configured to broadcast a connection request based on a detected user interaction indicating an intention to establish a wireless operational connection. - Scanning stations, including: • A second wireless interface, configured to receive the connection request, and • A display configured to output a graphical user interface (GUI) including an indication that the connection request has been received.

11. The intraoral scanner system according to claim 10, wherein, The scanning station also includes: • The scanning station interface is configured to detect user interactions that indicate approval to establish the wireless operating connection. The intraoral scanner system is configured to establish the wireless operational connection between the intraoral scanner and the scanning station when a user interaction indicating approval for establishing the wireless operational connection is detected.

12. The intraoral scanner system according to claim 10 or 11, wherein, The user interaction indicating the intention to establish a wireless operational connection includes the movement patterns of the intraoral scanner associated with the intention to establish a wireless operational connection, and The scanner interface includes one or more motion sensors configured to detect the motion pattern.

13. The intraoral scanner system according to claim 12, wherein, The motion pattern is the shaking of the intraoral scanner.

14. The intraoral scanner system according to any one of claims 10 to 13, wherein, The GUI includes a visual representation of the intraoral scanner.

15. The intraoral scanner system according to claim 14, wherein, The GUI includes visual representations of one or more other available intraoral scanners, and wherein the indication that the connection request has been received includes highlighting the visual representation of the intraoral scanner relative to the visual representations of the one or more other available intraoral scanners.

16. The intraoral scanner system according to claim 15, wherein, Highlighting the visual representation of the intraoral scanner relative to the visual representation of one or more other available intraoral scanners includes one or more of the following: magnifying, shaking, framing, or flashing the visual representation of the intraoral scanner.

Images